Thankful Thursday | I got a job!
Don't worry; I'm not giving up my blogging job. 😉
But I DID get an offer letter for the student nurse job that I interviewed for, and I accepted.
I teared up a little when I got the email...it's the same feeling I've had at intervals all along the way, like when I went to my first nursing school orientation, or got my first scrubs.
I feel a little bit of disbelief, like..."Whoa! I'm really doing this!!"
The tears aren't sad at all. They're more like the tears you shed when you've wanted something for a long time, thought it might be out of reach, but then that thing turns out to actually be possible.
Happy disbelief might be the right descriptor!
I'm not going to be working a ton of hours or getting paid a ton of money, but that is fine; I just wanted to be able to get some extra hands-on experience under my belt during this remaining year before I graduate.
So, that's my first thankful for this week!
What else?
This week, I am thankful:
that several of my professors filled out references for me
When you are applying for a student nurse job, you are allowed to list your professors as references (the hospital assumes you don't have actual medical work references yet!)
I asked my clinical instructors from this semester, and also my microbio professor and my A&P 2 professor, and they all filled out the reference forms.
For future nursing jobs, I will be able to have references from my student nurse job, of course, but I am grateful to my teachers for helping me get my starter job.
that I didn't get Covid at all this past winter
I got Covid in January 2022 and January 2023....but this January, no Covid for me!
that my friend taught me a stainless steel pan trick
My online friend Kathleen told me about a way to make a stainless steel pan basically nonstick...I tried it, and I'm sold! I can now make scrambled eggs in my stainless steel pan, with super easy cleanup afterward.
Here's an example of the method, but basically, you heat the pan up until it's so hot that water sprinkled on the surface balls up and skitters across the surface.
Then you turn the heat down a bit, add a small bit of oil/butter, and you can carry on with your cooking.
It works amazingly well!
that Lisey calls me regularly
It makes me smile that we talk so often, even though we have a six-hour time difference! I always love hearing from her and getting caught up on her life out there on the island.
for all the kind words from you guys yesterday
I really appreciate your gentle responses; some of them were so touching, they made me cry.
I sometimes second-guess myself when I write something like that, and honestly, I almost deleted it shortly after I published it. But I'm glad I left it up, both because you all offered me so much encouragement, and also because some of you said it was relatable and helpful.
In her song, "My Mind and Me", Selena Gomez says,
"But if I pull back the curtain, then maybe someone who's hurtin'Will be a little more certain they're not the only one lost"
And that's why I share things. I have been helped so, so many times when someone else has shared vulnerably, and I want to pay that forward.
I think it's a beautiful way of redeeming something painful; turning it into a force for good in the world.
CONGRATULATIONS!!! Go you, Kristen!!!!
Congratulations on the job!
This is another step closer to your goal. Plus having you foot in the door for a full time nursing job after graduation in a year. 🙂
Thankful that you are doing better today.
Thankful that we missed the last round of storms, as there were no tornados but straight winds at 60-90 mph with hail & lightning.
Thankful for cold food in hot weather. 😉 Frozen lemon pie, real fruit popsicles, mini/slider sandwiches & ice cream help with the heat (mid 80s last 9 days).
Thankful I'm knowledgeable about heat related illness---teen is experiencing. 🙁
Thankful for a place of inspiration & sharing in your blog.
Have a great weekend everyone. 🙂
@Regina, Amen to this blog being a place of inspiration and sharing.
Congratulations on your job. You will be an excellent nurse as you are working hard to be as competent as possible.
I am grateful for warmer weather and longer days. It's nice to not have to bundle up to be outside and who doesn't like more daylight?
I am grateful for friends and the sometimes unlikely places you meet/make them. I friends from volunteer gigs, yoga classes, and parents from when our kids were in school together. I am also thankful for the different levels of friendship.
I am grateful for family, both immediate and extended. I sometimes thinks about the smaller families more common today I wonder at the lack of size. There's nothing wrong with that it is just a difference.
I am grateful for general good health. None of us are getting out of her alive but I appreciate that I am healthy I at the moment and can say that about my life so far.
@K D,
As to who doesn't like more sunshine: Lindsey. Not more sunshine! Lol!
Congratsies! I know you'll be great in your new career!
Congratulations on the job; I know that feels good!! It's always great to get hands-on experience but I'm also glad it's not a ton of hours, so you can have some summer downtime. Great job!
Congratulations on the job!
Congratulations on your job! How exciting! I’m sure you will be a blessing to your patients.
I'm thankful that the dentist appointment for my kiddo with special needs went so well. She hadn't been to one successfully before, and I was very apprehensive. The hygienist and dentist both were calm and kind and explained everything at every step and watched carefully to see if she was doing ok. And no cavities as a bonus!
Also thankful that, even though my husband can't do things around the house until his arm heals, my sons and I have tackled some issues successfully. However, I can't wait until he's back to normal. So he can do dishes again. I'm really tired of the daily chore!
Not much else, but even in hard times, trying to be grateful!
@mbmom11, Uh, sons can do dishes just as well as husbands, wives and daughters. Just sayin'....
@mbmom11, It really is noticeable how much your partner helps out when they're injured and can't do their normal chores. And taking care of those extra things gets very tedious, very quickly. I hope you get relieved of dishes--and other things--very soon.
@Fru-gal Lisa,
They would, but they have homework after dinner, so it's easier for me to do ot. They also mow the lawn and do other things, so they do help out. They have to do anything requiring upper body strength ( I have such wimpy arms!) so I like to balance what I ask of them.
@mbmom11, Hey, washing dishes by hand uses your upper body, and school will be out soon. Hang in there!
@kristin @ going country, Yeah. When someone is injured, the group isn’t just covering their work but often also providing extra help.
mbmom11, I hope things go smoothly till your husband is back in the game and congrats on the dental appointment. That’s major! How old is your kiddo, if I may ask?
Super happy for you!
Congratulations on your job, Kristen!!
This week I'm thankful that my biological father's estate is done, done, done. Checks cut, accounts closed, and my appointment as personal representative is cancelled. Phew!
I'm thankful that I can see how much I've progressed in my sewing skills over the past couple of years. In the past year alone, I've been able to sew most of the summer clothes that I now wear, and I have a lot more confidence. I'm thankful for YouTube and sewing content creators for their instruction, which would not have been possible even 10 years ago!
I'm thankful that, for the past couple of months, my husband and I have been able to take long walks together on the weekend. It's helping me so much in the healing process to get back where I was health-wise 4 years ago.
Ok, I'm not thankful that I'm having a colonoscopy in less than a week, but I am thankful for our collective medical knowledge and staff (including Kristen!) that promote health. I'm also thankful that my prep is way better than the prep my husband endured for his first colonoscopy.
I'm thankful for God's perfect timing. My husband has been applying for new jobs, and although he's come close to getting an offer, we haven't gotten quite there yet. However, I am quite confident in God's timing and His plan. There are reasons why the other jobs didn't come through, and I know from experience that it's better to wait than to try to rush things. So, we will wait. 🙂
Congratulations Kristen!
This week I'm very thankful that DS's wound has shrunk, and they said he could stop wearing the Eakin wound manager with a pouch (sort of like an ostomy device) and just use a bandage with Montgomery straps. He's also been scheduled for a partial wound closure next week; he's a bit apprehensive because it involves going into the surgery center at the hospital (which he associates with things going bad again) and being sedated, but it needs to be done and he's being brave.
Thankful for the wound team nurses, who advocate for him and have done such a good job supporting him physically and emotionally, recognizing what a huge change this has been in his life. Thankful for the surgeon, the first one DS trusts; he's kind but doesn't sugarcoat things. This is NOT the surgeon who did the first surgery that was horribly botched, nor the surgeon who did the second one to 'fix' the first surgery and who failed to order a CT scan before discharge to check for abscesses, which led to a third hospital stay...this is a surgeon the administration assigned to the case and who works at the wound clinic regularly.
Thankful for things settling down in other areas of life--along with DS's medical stuff there has been other life stuff going on and I'm not sure how I know how to operate outside a crisis at this point!
@Karen A., I'm so glad you have a surgeon you trust now, and I hope this is really the beginning of the end of this long mess. For you and your family as well as your son. Crisis mode is exhausting for everyone.
@Karen A.,
Give yourself some grace as you emerge from crisis mode. Some things can wait, and some things won't, so take the time to prioritize. And have a few moments to yourself.
Woohoooooo for progress! And I'm glad some nurses have advocated for him. Yay!
@Karen A., I am sending lots of positive thoughts your way. I’m sorry your son and family had to endure this. Wishing you brighter days ahead.
@Karen A., so glad to hear progress for your son! And finally a doctor that gets it right! Teen will take time to get back to normal, but with new insights on asking questions & advocating for self 🙂 after finding trust in healthcare system again. Hope teen continues to get better. 🙂
@Karen A., I think we are all thankful with you. I hope so much that the peaks of crisis are all over for you and yours and that things may even out.
@Karen A., Just so very glad that things have made a turn for the better. Sending you and your son and family every good wish for healing.
@Karen A., I echo what everyone else has said about DS's recovery. And I wish you a crisis-free life as soon as that's possible. (Regards also, as always, to Commodore Clark.)
@Karen A., Glad that the 3rd time's the charm, as far as getting a super good surgeon goes. Healing prayers going up for your DS. Hope this nightmare ends soon.
@Karen A.,
So happy to hear of your DS's progress! He has been so brave through it all, and you have been right there, helping him every step of the way. Here's to continued healing, and getting that wound closure surgery done.
@Karen A., so thankful for the third surgeon!
Why am I not surprised, Kristen? Somehow I knew you'd get the job. They are as lucky to get you as you are to get hired. You're going to have a great summer!
1.I am thankful....and very surprised....that a dept. head at the high school offered me a teacher aide job for next year. He said he's seen be interact with the kids and would like someone with my rapport with students to work in his area (special ed). Not sure I can take it due to Social Security complications: teachers in my state work under a state teacher retirement plan, and accepting a FT job that doesn't pay in to SS can sometimes throw a monkey wrench into the whole works. I'm checking on it. But even if I can't take the aide job I will still substitute --they've all asked if I will be back subbing next year and seemed relieved and happy when I say yes-- and that + SS + other pensions will all add up into a pretty good living, money wise.
2. That my dog is still alive and seems to be reasonably well despite having terminal cancer. It's been almost 2 years since the vet told me she was dying. Or, rather, that her tumor would be terminal. She sleeps a lot, no longer barks (I don't think she can hear people come up to the door).won't chase squirrels, and doesn't jump onto my bed when she thinks I'm not looking. But she is still eating and does not appear to be in pain. Glad to have her quiet companionship.
3. That I've made a real good friend at my retail job. This gal is a missionary and even though we are in different denominations, we share with each other about our faith journeys and respect one another's beliefs.
4. It's so much easier to make a car payment now that I'm no longer with Kia Finance. They never sent me a bill --the paperwork was being sent to another, similar address --and it was difficult to make payments over the phone to someone halfway across the world whose accent, try as I might, I could barely understand. The local dealership was no help either. So I refinanced with a local credit union, got a lower APR, and I just go drive in to one of their locations and write the check. Easy, peazey!
5. The friends I've made substitute teaching, both adults and kids. I lead a really good life, very enjoyable work at both my jobs (retail and public schools). This week, I subbed for 2 days as the math teachers' aide and when the students finished their work, the geometry teacher let them play games. I had a group of 8th period sophomore boys teach me the card game of UNO, and we played it both days. The 2nd day I won a game! We all had a blast, it was so much fun. Even funnier: the teacher, who I've known for years (we were both on the faculty of my former school), had to call us all down for being too loud. He just smiled at me and shook his head. It doesn't get any better than this!!
@Fru-gal Lisa,
Oh, and I almost forgot: I got a big red bloom on the "Mister Lincoln" rosebush I planted last October. Gorgeous! And it smells terrific!
@Fru-gal Lisa,
My kiddos loved to play UNO. I don’t know if I remember how. Congratulations on your job offer. It is fulfilling to have our talents and abilities recognized.
@Fru-gal Lisa, you are going to love playing UNO. Been long time favorite (generations) of playing UNO, especially groups of teens & adult (which can get very competitive). Once you've mastered the concept check out the other UNO card games (same game just more difficult).
@Fru-gal Lisa, UNO is our family card game of choice. We especially like the Star Wars edition of UNO!
@Bee,
Thank you, Bee!
@Karen A. and Regina,
I plan to buy a deck of UNO cards real soon! I will look for the Star Wars edition.
Congratulations on your job! Must've been the blazer. 🙂
Thankfuls:
--One of the peony bushes we planted last year survived. We don't have a great survival rate for starting things here in our harsh climate, so I'm happy at least one made it. I love peonies.
--There are lots of little peaches on the tree my husband sprouted from a pit a few years ago. We do not count our peaches before they're harvested--that harsh climate again--but I'm hopeful anyway.
--For a renewal of my faith in the past year that has been very helpful for me in dealing with the most difficult parenting situation I've yet had. I was raised Catholic, stopped attending for awhile, was sort of dragged back into attending when my husband joined the church on his own, and now I am again finding the joy and hope in the church that I did long ago.
--That I no longer have a terrible crick in my neck. I must have been sleeping weird for a few nights and it hurt so much when I woke up and all day, but that seems to have resolved itself.
--That my son was able and willing to deal with a slightly ingrown toenail on his own. I know the medical recommendation is to go to a doctor for this, but given our location, we DIY a lot of minor things like this. I do not enjoy minor surgeries, but son just sat right down after soaking his foot and dug around and trimmed until he had freed the nail. Yuck.
Peonies are so so gorgeous! I'm glad yours survived.
And yay for a resolved neck. Having a stiff neck makes everything hard, all day!
@kristin @ going country,
Has your son soaked his foot in Epsom salts? That can help keep the toenail free. Also, check his shoes- my son's ingrown toenail was started/aggrevated by soccer cleats and shoes that were too narrow. We had to go to podiatrist for one ( who warned me about the cleats causing issues) , but the Epsom salts worked on the other foot.
@mbmom11, He soaked in salt water last night before his self-surgery--and again afterwards--which helped. I know it's not his shoes, because he only wears a very soft and wide sort of flexible shoe. This is the first time he's ever had a toenail issue. I'm guessing he just cut it at a bad angle last time he cut them.
@kristin @ going country, I'm sorry to hear about the difficult parenting situation. Nobody preps you for this stuff, and it is so difficult! I'm finding now that I have 2 (newly) adult children that it is difficult to watch them figuring out their own difficulties.
Congratulations on your job offer!
I'm thankful to be celebrating our 37th wedding anniversary today.
I'm thankful for my husband. I was feeling very overwhelmed and defeated yesterday about our upcoming move and he was there with kind words and a big hug. He assured me that everything would work out and we would find someone to paint the interior of the new house for less than $12,000!
I'm thankful that my sister, BIL, great-niece, and great-nephew came to meet my grandson. The baby was all smiles and the little ones enjoyed making him laugh.
I'm thankful that my job is flexible, and I can work from home today. I have to keep my grandson today so my daughter can go to the dentist, and I have a meeting during that timeframe. I told my boss that I would keep my mic on mute so they wouldn't hear the baby "talking" and she told me not to worry and he could talk all he wanted.
I'm thankful that it's a long weekend. DH and I taking off tomorrow, so we'll have four days to continue packing for the move.
@Beverly, Happy Anniversary!
I join everyone else in congratulating Kristen on getting the job!
This Thursday, I'm mainly thankful for the rain and the cool front that went through here last night. Up till Wednesday afternoon, it was too #$%!! hot and dry for May in Central NY. (I even had to bite the bullet and turn on the AC. Now it's off again.)
Not thankful that two of the four standard basil plants Ms. Bestest Neighbor gave me were casualties of the heat and drought--but thankful that these can be easily replaced. Most of the other things she and I grow from seed aren't readily available at the Regional Market.
@A. Marie, I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the El Niño which has kept the East Coast so hot and dry will dissipate just as the forecasters have predicted. The water temperatures in Florida have been high which does not bode well for the upcoming hurricane season.
Congratulations on your new job! That’s wonderful.
I am thankful that the long lazy days of summer are around the corner. It has been a busy spring and I’m ready to to slow down a bit.
I’m thankful that my younger son received a Research Assistantship so he with not have to take out loans to pay for graduate school. He will make enough doing research and guiding this summer to pay for a large portion of his living expenses. I am relieved and grateful that he will have his needs met. We have had at least one child in college or graduate school for 18 of the last 20 years. Retirement is looming in the next 3 - 5 years, so we really are to the point of being tapped out. But as many of you know, as a parent you will do without before you let a child go hungry.
I’m thankful that my daughter has found a job that will fully utilize her abilities and education. She is excited.
I’m thankful that my grandson is fully recovered from an illness that required an ER visit.
I’m thankful that Rescue Pup is on the mend after receiving antibiotics from the veterinarian… And I’m extraordinarily thankful for my Vet who has taken care of my pets and me for nearly 30 years.
Wishing everyone peace, good health and prosperity.
Thankful for:
Cooking with home grown fresh herbs. Already in MICHIGAN.
My sore knee is going a lot better. Faithfully icing and doing exercises.
Only 10 days from retirement! I am ready to do something else. Not sure exactly what, but I am going to be open to change. I must work part time for nine years til she 62! ITS OKAY!
@Stephanie,
10 more days! You've got this!
I'm struggling today. Staring down an endodontist appointment, where I'll find out how many more root canals I'll need. I've already had 4 by age 25, and my dentist thinks it could be anywhere from 1 to 4 more. :/
But listing blessings always helps!
• I'm grateful for my boss, he's very supportive, provides a lot of positive feedback which I thrive on, and the complete opposite of a micro manager.
• I'm grateful for my husband for leaving work early today to be with me for my appointment.
• I'm grateful last week for 5 back to back social events, I love seeing all my friends (many of them were repeat offenders throughout the week, we only have so many friend "groupings")
• I'm, as always, grateful for cat and dog snuggles.
I'm having a lot of frustrations right now, so finding things to be thankful for will be good for me.
1. My car is still in the shop, the day before we are scheduled to leave for my reunion - I couldn't get a rental to replace it till this week, so we had to wait to put it in the shop, and a part the mechanic ordered got lost in delivery (insert grumbling here), but my daughter loaned me her car for a day to help me out when my car became undrivable this past weekend, even though that caused her and her husband to juggle a tight schedule with two jobs and four kids who go different places in the morning. I'm thankful for that loan of the car.
2. I'm thankful that the mechanic is committed to having my car ready for me, and will do what is humanly possible to have it ready to go tomorrow.
3. I'm thankful that my son-in-law did some fixer-upper tasks for me. It's a relief not to have to do every single thing myself.
4. I'm thankful for the nice lunch we had on Tuesday, to celebrate two co-workers' birthdays. The office paid and I got a chance to try a restaurant that is new to me.
5. And the big one: I'm thankful for the 4th birthday today of our one and only grandson out of a sea of granddaughters. He says the funniest things. He acts a little too much like DH, his grandfather, but we hope he'll grow out of that, ha. (DH was quite the handful as a boy, according to his family, and to be honest, he still is).
@JD, I'm keeping fingers crossed that your car will be good to go for your reunion trip. (And I'm a bit envious that you're looking forward to the reunion so much. My high school experience was horrible for multiple reasons, and I would not attend a reunion there for a million bucks.)
I, on the other hand, will never have a reunion because I was the only student in my graduating class. 😉
@A. Marie, Join the club. I feel the same about my high school and the class reunions as you do about yours!
@JD, My jr high school class was largely a bunch of rotten stinkers, some were actively malevolent. As adults the group that participates in the email chain are surprisingly helpful and supportive. It’s like we grew up or something.
Kristen, that is awesome! I hope it turns out great and you get lots of useful experience.
Today I am thankful for all the routine household skills I picked up a long the way in life that save money, like turning the last four apples into a small pie and mending clothes. Also thankful that our tiny terror of a rescue puppy is settling down, that our sweet older dog is so patient with her, for beautiful spring days, and always for my sweet family
I'm thankful to be getting rid of things I don't want nor need and allowing myself to have the things I still want.
Thankful that I took a book out of the library before buying it. I can see now that I don'tt think it's one I would want in my permanent collection.
I forgot to cancel my Max subscription before the bonus deal went away so I had to pay the full month at $10. I'm thankful that $10 won't break me but I'm also thankful that I wasn't locked into some contract or something like that.
Thankful that we're seeing some pushback on some things that I really don't like and always appear to be everywhere. It may be an election year (barf!) but it's nice to see that some of the stuff is toned down a little. Maybe it's just fatigue or I'm better at avoiding it all.
Congratulations on your new job!
Congratulations! You're going to be amazing in this profession!
Congratulations, Kristen!
I am thankful to be doing well in my Danish classes. My teacher told me I am top of the class 🙂
I am thankful to be more confident with cycling. I was very nervous a few months ago because it had been years since I had ridden a bike, but now I can go on cycle lanes and lift my hand for turning or stopping signals without thinking I'm going to fall off!
I'm honestly really tired at the moment, but thankful that I've got into more of a groove. I can throw together a dinner fairly easily after work without defaulting to takeout and head to class, and get up early enough to read before work. And, of course, I'm thankful that I have the means to make all of that happen!
Mazel tov
Congrats on the job!
Thankful for-
My growing garden, I put it in 2 weeks early due the the extremely warm weather.
For hubs help redoing the picnic table. We only disagreed once, which may be a record.
For flexible work hours.
Despite the deer munching down our berry plants there are tons of flowers.
Thankful that our pup slept in until 6 am, he is such a 5:30 kind of guy. Way too early for me...
HOORAY!!! Your first nursing job!! So glad that this has worked out!
The experience (and a few pennies in your scrubs pocket!) will be incredibly useful for experience and your CV as you move from strength to strength in your new career. A second start is always a Thing because we are a tiny bit older / have less time to waste, so you are making incredible headway and doing it! Doing all the things!
YES!!!! Awesome job and you will do wonderful:)
Big congrats on your first nursing job! We will enjoy hearing your impressions in this new position. I love situations where you meet a lot of people because I always come away with interesting stories to share. I bet you will, too.
For sure, yesterday's sharing is relatable to many of us. Your bridge thoughts are a good resource to try and you may find others to share. You may not realize how many people you influence for the better with the peeks into your life. And those soothing images of nature (and kitties) in the posts are way better ASMR (do I have the acronym right?) for me than watching shelves being stocked ha!
Thankful for my husband and two sons who make my life such a pleasure with their caring.
Congratulations on your new job, that is wonderful!
In this moment I’m thankful for the first taste of summer with 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Grateful for the opportunity to expand our little family with a four legged member.
Thankful that the steps I’ve taken for better managing my fatigue is working so I can do a little gardening this year.
Thankful for the midnight sun, it’s amazing to have her shine through my kitchen window when waking.
Congratulations on getting the job!
I recently learned that same method for stainless steel pans. It really does work well. Another trick I just learned is to let the eggs sit at room temperature for a few minutes while the pan heats up. Slightly warm eggs are less likely to stick than cold, fresh-from-the-fridge eggs. This is one of the things I'm thankful for, too.
I'm also thankful for the fact that I won a prize at work this week. It's an extra $10, which may not sound like much, but it's still a nice bonus for me.
I'm thankful for grocery deliveries and the ability to buy enough food to keep myself healthy, which hasn't always been the case.
I'm thankful for all the recent rain and for the spring colors of grass and flowers and trees all around me. I know that soon enough things will be hot and dry and brown. I may wish for the sun to come out right now, but I'll get more than I want of it in a couple of months, I'm sure. So I'm trying to appreciate what I have now.
Congratulations on your new job! You are making it happen and your hard work is paying off!
1. I’m so thankful for the companionship my little dog gave me for five years. After our visit to the emergency vet everything showed she wasn’t going to get better and I had to make the tough decision to have her cross that rainbow bridge. I was able to hold her while we let her go so she wasn’t alone and I got one last little lick and snuggle.
2. My dad’s work schedule allowed him to drive me to the vet and be with me while saying goodbye.
3. My son has been taking the loss pretty hard and had a really tough time during a game. I saw one of the club’s coaches (not his usual coach who wasn’t available for the game) take him aside and give him a sincere and consoling talk. I didn’t listen to the conversation because it wasn’t for me but I appreciated that coach took time after the game to be there for my son.
4. My company offers Volunteer PTO! I was able to volunteer again this year at a golf tournament that raises money for local charities. They pick a different charity each year and this year was for a charity that trains dogs to be service for veterans.
5. Thankful for the little things: friends, audio books for when I’m stuck in traffic, morning coffee, crock pots, sunshine, dog snuggles, family time.
@Geneva, I'm so sorry for the loss of your dog. I'm glad your family has support, especially the coach and your son. (Also: how neat that your volunteer opportunity helped support veterans in getting service dogs; kind of a great celebration of the companionship of your dog!)
@Geneva, I'm so sorry for the loss of your little dog. Fur babies are such a big part of family and losing them is so hard. Hope your heart gets lighter with all the happy memories you have of her.
@Geneva, So sorry about your dog! Letting them go is so very hard; glad you were there to hold and snuggle so the poor girl was not alone.
@Geneva, I’m so sorry about your pooch. We know it’s going to happen and it’s never easy.
Those are some gorgeous flowers! Love how subtle their coloring is. And, congrats on the job!! Woohoo!! Way to go.
1) Grateful for being done with a volunteer project I worked on for a month or so. Just in time to start a new, longer term volunteer project that I super excited about.
2) Incredibly grateful for my severance pay, which is bridging the gap & allowing me to be "funemployed" at this phase of my life, and truly enjoy the time with DS18 before he goes to college & help DS17 with his college process & just spending family time together.
3) Super excited that my parents will be here in less than two weeks, for DS18's graduation. As always, I'm so grateful for my family. I was really lucky with the wild card draw of parents, and try not to take that for granted.
4) My BFF's daughter had surgery (one of many, unfortunately) & the surgeon thinks it went really well. She's so young to have her mobility be so limited, so I'm grateful the surgeon thinks it was very successful.
5) For the long weekend! Even though I'm not working right now, I'm grateful that the teens have a bit of a break, and that DH & I get more time together.
- that Kristen didn't delete yesterday's post
- for baby bunnies in the Arboretum
- for chances to hear my kids make live music
- for a thoughtful and engaged hiring committee
- for new and old friends
Congratulations on the job!
This week I'm thankful:
*for momma's sitting on eggs for such a long time-- and then, poof! baby chicks that I don't need to put in a big tub or garage or anything. Less mess. Less effort. All the joy of fuzzy chicks.
*that my oldest will be home for the summer this evening.
*that my next oldest is graduating this weekend. That his math is all done except for grading the final test.
*that my 3rd born is such a good companion for my father. They road-tripped all the way to Minnesota to pick up oldest from college.
*for my 4th born who is so good with the difficult chicken situations. She's so good with animals and children-- patient, she listens with her eyes, and she does what needs done (picking up a squashed egg with a decomposing chick in it-- ewww!)
*for my 5th born who is tenacious with learning hard things. At the beginning of the school year, she nearly melted down if she had to draw something (perfectionism). Now she is drawing for fun because she worked HARD to improve both her drawing and her attitude.
*for my 6th born who sometimes just needs some Mom time. Yesterday we had fun playing Wingspan-- just the two of us. He's also becoming more willing to help out.
*for my 7th born who delights so much in the antics of the Hardy Boys. She cracks me up when she laughs so hard about something that happened in one of those books.
*for my father who, at almost 75 years old, is giddy about going on road trips with his grandson. He went to the Spam museum this week and was thrilled.
*for my husband who rarely truly has a day off. He is a hard worker, and he works hard to make me happy. But to be honest, it's easy to make me happy, but he keeps trying to make me happier.
@Jody S., I did not know there was a Spam museum but when I told my husband what you wrote, he immediately started plotting a course to go there next time we leave Alaska. So, thank you for him...not so much for me 🙂
@Lindsey, Glad to be of service to him because we all know he is a most worthy one 🙂
@Lindsey and @Jody S., there's a Jell-O museum in my part of the world (https://jellogallery.org/). So if anyone is up for a bit of jiggly fun...
@Lindsey, Now that Dad is home, should I tell you he bought t-shirts for all---- and a special SPAM slicer? (When will we use this? We don't eat it even once a year!)
Congratulations on your new job!! So happy for you!
I am thankful for:
- my husband, who celebrates his birthday today. He is a tremendous blessing to me and our daughters.
- that we had savings to take advantage of a really great deal on a piece of equipment we need for our future plans.
- that our kids get along. I come from a family where this is not the case, and I as so thankful that not only do our kids get along, they are genuine friends. It's something I will never take for granted.
- for my brother-in-law reaching out to strengthen ties with my husband. Again, something I will always be thankful for.
- for our fur babies. Our dogs and cats bring us so much joy.
- for a wonderful work environment. I have very supportive co-workers, who make coming to work a blessing and joy.
Thankfuls:
Our fragile little cabin made it through another winter.
Steady sales of paintings, especially after 2023 being the worst year in memory for my art business.
The civil discourse on this blog—it proves that people can disagree without being disagreeable, and that we have the capabilities of listening in order to understand.
A few tomatoes are forming —will this be the year I can finally grow enough to share and to freeze and maybe even to can??
1. Something I put out for auction sold for 50% more than the upper end of the estimate. I have 3 major house repairs ahead - all likely due in July, why does it always seem to work that way? - so this is good timing.
2. That I still have money left in my move/upgrade/repair budget, because an experienced person told me to expect expensive house issues for a couple years after move-in.
3. That I can competently manage projects even when I don’t know the subject matter. It’s mostly a matter of asking “what can we do now” and “what if…”
4. That my large, black, barky pooch is barking less at strangers who come into the house.
5. That my very good travel agent noticed a goof in logistics for a trip in September. It would have been a Very Big Problem had that gone unaddressed.
Whoa, what an auction success!!
@WilliamB, was wondering about the impetus for the move. Is this house bigger than the last? Closer to work? In a better part of town? Inquiring minds are nosy.
@Anne, roommate losing ability to walk so we decided to move rather than do major reno on old house, while staying in a same general area.
Oh, congratulations on landing the student nursing job! I'm sure the experience will be very beneficial.
This week I am thankful that
-The dog I was interested in adopting wasn't taken by anyone else before we could meet her. We adopted her last Saturday, and she is a gem!
-My husband is a supportive partner who is expanding his cooking talents. (I pretty much cooked all of our meals when our kids were growing up and requested that he cook one meal during the week and help with cooking on weekends.)
-I have a job that allows me to work from home yet provides lots of virtual interaction.
-The seeds I planted in garden pots on my porch are starting to produce some herbs and salad greens.
Woo Hoo! You're on your way, Kristen! Such a positive step in your nursing career.
Thankful for finally finding a combination of products to help my mom and her debilitating arthritic back pain.
* favorite cousin taught me how to fix my lawn tractor, so when it did the same exact thing a month later, I was able to work on it myself.
* My years of planting cutting flowers for Memorial Day. We have 6 cemeteries to decorate.
*for the invite to fly over my timber property, I can get a true view of everything in a 15 minute flight vs. hiking for 2 days. This helps me prioritize what areas to concentrate on before the fire season gets in full swing.
*for my sweet, crazy pup. Last year I had horrible problems with quail eating my entire garden, installed a pup-sized gate and now, no quail.
*the newest kitty members of the family are integrating well into the rest of the cat crew.
Be safe and enjoy this weekend!
Congratulations on your new job!!! How wonderful! I am so glad that you share these things with us. I am cheering you on from the sidelines - GO GIRL!
Thankfulness for this week....
1. Hubby is a diabetic and 3 years ago developed osteomyelitis in one of his big toes. Long story short he ended up having to have major surgery, almost lost his toe, was out of work for 6 months and on IV antibiotics. This week I happen to know that his other leg was slightly swollen. I got him an appointment right away and though he will likely have to have surgery again to correct the bone and avoid future calluses/blisters on this toe, we avoided the infection and chance that he may lose a digit. Super happy about that.
2. I am happy that school is almost over for the summer. I am ready for the break and so is my son.
3. I am happy to see warmer days, flowers blooming, grilling season, pool days and all other things summer.
4. For the mental clarity & health I have experienced as a result of consistent exercise over the course of the last 18+ months. I know it is cliche but it truly is amazing to see what exercise will do for your overall health. It's benefits are not just physical. My attitude, confidence, & self esteem are higher than they have ever been. I am less anxious and in general am experiencing a more positive outlook on life. All of these benefits affect my home, work, relationships, and everything that I put my hand to.
5. The 3 day weekend ahead. I have a chore list and a relax list and I am hopeful that I can cross a lot off of each one 🙂
@Angie, Start with the relax list! Just to make sure you fit those in. ;-}
One of the many satisfying aspects of my nursing career was helping students advance their knowledge. You will learn so much in this job. Do not hesitate to ask questions. Nurses, doctors, other staff. and even patients want to teach a willing learner. Keep a notepad to jot down the many things you will want to look up later. The best nurses and doctors are those who have worked in the trenches.
CONGRATULATIONS, KRISTEN!!!
Thankfuls. The End of High School Edition.
1) My kid is Valedictorian. Hard work for YEARS has resulted in this honor. I am just so proud.
2) My daughters and elder daughter's spouse are going to be able to be here for graduation.
3) Kiddo has chosen to attend a local university for the first year of college. There's several reasons for it, and there have been many conversations about it. The choice was made for all of the right reasons. We're going to reassess in late winter of early 2025 to determine if a transfer to another college is desired. If this ends up being the only post-High School year that my kid stays home, that's how it will be, but in the meantime I'm thrilled mostly because my kid is happily content with the decision.
4) One of the factors influencing the college decision? A free ride! Free tuition!!
5) I have been blessed to work in the same High School building that my kid attends for the past few years. I know it was an answer to prayer. I'm sad that this time is over, but am grateful that I had it.
@Molly F.C.,
OMG! Valedictorian!?! Free ride for freshman year of college?!? That is just super, super outstanding! Pls. convey my congrats to your favorite #1 h.s. student! You all are indeed blessed!
@Fru-gal Lisa, thank you!!!
For some reason your comment on student nurse triggered a memory I have of my early years, reading the series Cherry Ames Student Nurse. I have not thought of that in decades! Congrats to you on achieving yet another milestone on your nursing journey. Starting a career is so exhilarating.
This week I am thankful that:
1. All my seedlings lived through the transplant process. I did not feel that great last week, so it took me a lot of energy to go into the greenhouse and do the work; I am glad those efforts do not have to be repeated.
2. Our contractor finished the work, way over schedule but significantly under budget. In fact, we ended up giving him a $500 tip because we felt uncomfortable on how little he charged us. He went through a very bad patch of losing his sobriety and his business, and is only now getting back on his feet. He used to be a neighbor until he lost his house. We really struggled with whether to risk a big project on him and we had several talks with him about our hesitation; the first time he was late, we feared the worst. Anyway, he did a good job and seeing his work, four other folks on the street have hired him, so we think he really undercharged us to thank us.
3. A friend who finally realized she can no longer live on her own. Never married, no children, she has outlived the group of elderly ladies who used to help each other out so all could stay independent. My friend resisted, ended up in the hospital repeatedly for falling and then for not taking care of leg wounds that ate almost down to the bone. It has been hard to watch her deteriorate but a move into assisted living is really the best for her.
4. Our chickens who moved next door and are still producing so many eggs that we get a dozen a week from their new owners. All the benefits and none of the work. And the coop is right next to our fence so we can still hear their proud sounds when they lay an egg.
5. The husband, always the husband.
@Lindsey, my oldest sister (who knew she was going to be a nurse almost the minute she came out of the womb) had the first 12 or so of the Cherry Ames books. Amazing how Cherry never aged, despite going through all of WWII and well into the 1950s.
I also hear you on your #3; I doubt that my next-door neighbor will ever come to this realization on her own, though I wish she would. And, as always, I hear you on your #5 and send my best to the husband. (Thank you for your kind words earlier this week about the loss of DH. I'm coming up on the first anniversary of his physical death, and I'm feeling it.)
Sending you all the love on that anniversary. It is wild how our bodies and hearts mark these, almost without us actively trying to recall the event.
@A. Marie, Sending you hugs as you go through the sad anniversary. Wish I could send you flowers to try to cheer you up.
@Lindsey, I loved the Cherry Ames books!
@Lindsey,
Working in a hospital, I read and hear people's stories....some who reluctantly come to the hospital for care, after having fallen and lying on the floor for days. Others who come to the hospital filthy, with family recounting stories of the patients squalid home situation. It's just heart breaking. I'm glad your friend finally realized she needs a different home environment.
@A. Marie,
Also sending you hugs as you face the anniversary of your DH's death. I know you will find a way to acknowledge the day, but I encourage you to do something extra nice for yourself.
@A. Marie, Sending hugs your way, you hear?
I really appreciate the honesty, transparency, and authenticity of your blog. Of you, really. It's a brave and risky place to position yourself--and we need more of it in the world. Your posts are thoughtful and your words suggest a greater worldview than just the immediate things that surround you. In fact, they suggest that they come from someone who is trying to thrive, rather than just survive the day-to-day. I hope you'll continually be encouraged by your readers to continue.
I'm thankful for many things, but I am especially thankful for that last photo in your post of Mountain Laurel.
I'm thankful for ...
Open-window weather
Making good progress preparing for my daughter's graduation party
Talking with my son through video chat
Nice weather for my daughter's outdoor jazz band concert tonight
My bike (fun way to exercise, and it's the prettiest shade of blue!)
Congratulations on your job! I’m sure you will make the most of the opportunity!
1. Thankful that my elderly Mother was unhurt when she took a nasty tumble last night.
2. Thankful for her kind neighbor, who is a nurse, for checking her out and suggesting a new Urgent Care in the area. Their staff was wonderful.
3. Thankful that I have an emergency fund to help cushion the blow of being furloughed until August.
4. Thankful for my sweet old pup, who is snoring up a storm next to me. I’m thankful for her constant companionship.
5. Thankful that my pumpkin seeds have started to sprout. I get an inordinate amount of joy from this.
Forgot to say OF COURSE YOU GOT THE JOB! If they hadn't hired you, I would have assumed they were just too stupid to work for.
@Central Calif. Artist Jana, ROTFL. I agree with your last sentence!
Made me giggle too!
Kristen, I’m so very proud of you for your perseverance in doing all the hard work necessary to reaching your goals!
And I’m glad you share with us all the progress you’re making, the “first” milestones you’re reaching and portions of the emotional ups and downs along the way. You’re very humble and transparent in how you share your thoughts and feelings. I see you as a very hospitable person… welcoming people to the table of your soul and by what you share, helping people know we aren’t alone in what we experience. I’m happy for you that you’ve landed a job in the nursing field. I hope you have some time to relax and refresh over the summer.
I’m thankful for so much in my life right now but a highlight is that my husband suddenly decided to take off tomorrow and next Tuesday in order to have a 5-day holiday weekend with me. We’ll just do a bit more downsizing around the house and do our usual Sunday church and then afternoon dancing. But tomorrow we’re doing a special lunch date after which we’ll visit our toddler grandson. Then on Monday we’re planning on going to the National Art Gallery with our daughter and her boyfriend. Tuesday we’ll probably just catch up on some extra reading. Anyway, I’m so thankful for this extra special unscheduled time of R&R.
I already listed my 5 FTs, but that was before I left for the day to go to work. Going into my back yard, I discovered another; I have a major, major item to be thankful for and I just can't wait a week to write about it:
In last night's violent storm, half of my backyard red oak tree came down. I didn't even hear it! I went out this back door this morning and thought, "where did that big shrub come from?" It wasn't a shrub -- it was the tree top. Somehow the tree managed to miss my roof, my house, my garage and the driveway when it came down. It also missed most of the electrical wire going from the powerline to my house; just a small branch full of leaves is resting on the wire. I'm very, very lucky it didn't pull the whole thing down bc otherwise, I'd be without electricity, I'd have to pay an electrician to hook me back up, and my 60-y.0. house would have to be up to current code before he could do it (it isn't). Getting my whole house rewired and redone would cost a fortune! So I feel the Good Lord was taking care of me yet again. (I had two massive oaks come down in the 2004 hurricanes in Florida, when I lived there, and I similarly dodged any major damage. Thank you Lord!)
I'm so glad to hear this!
Congrats, Kristen, on getting the job! You'll do great!
I'm thankful for ...
1) Time out with my mentor/friend from church. We've been having monthly get togethers where we'd go out for walks and lunch after. Been loving my time with her catching up and sharing thoughts with one another.
2) The quiet times I have in the mornings after I drop off the girls to school. Gave me time to focus on my spiritual life, check off my to do list, conquer goals, and start hobbies.
3) The fun month my girls had at school for their end of the year celebration. There were field trips, field days, walks and picnics at the park, and countdown celebrations.
4) My 5 senses. Right now, I'm enjoying an ice cream cone and thinking how great it tastes.
5) My and my family's health. So grateful for that!
Congratulations on the job!
Wow... only a year left! You're so close! I'm sure that time will fly.
Today I'm thankful that I got to go to the zoo on a field trip with my middle kiddo and his grade. We spent the day with a good friend, a good friend that's about to move away, and someone that I've been wanting to get to know more (she's so sweet). It was lovely! Also, I'm thankful that I remembered sunscreen and didn't burn.
I'm thankful for:
- rain
- a fun beach day for my daughter's birthday
- our house
- our car
- an encouraging and challenging post from someone on fb
- God's Word
- God's goodness
Back in my student nurse days I worked at a local hospital part time as a student nurse. It was a wonderful experience. I learned so much that I could apply when taking my state board exam.
Seeing the photo of those flowers put such delight in my heart. They are so pretty and remind me of peppermint candy. Congratulations on getting the job. You have been so blessed.
Congrats on your new job
As a student nurse we were allowed to work in hospital for $$$
Got a whopping $1.18/hour
Congratulations! And I hope that you can be proud of yourself after yesterday's reflection more easily.
1. Rain for garden. No hail or tornado.
2. Lilacs in bloom. Love that smell.
3. Making disaster relief quilts and tracing liners and transport cases for days for girls.
4. News that prices may go down. People are struggling.
5. Books on Libby app.
Congratulations on your new job?
Well -- I am thankful for YOU, FG! and your inviting readers on your journey and for the stainless steel pan tip, too.
3 John 2