This week, I am thankful:
-that my window installation is going to be finished soon
I had anticipated it would be done by now.
But it rained Monday, which was our original install date.
The window guys rescheduled for yesterday, cut open the wall (inside, not outside!), and found a wire.
So now we have to wait for their electrician to come move it, which means we will have a hole in our wall for a day or two.
But it’s ok.
I’ve wanted a window there for probably 10 years or so, and we’ve already waited several months for the windows to come in from back order.
So another few days is no big deal.
-that this is a good season for a window install
When we bought this house, we had to have all the windows replaced (many of them would not even close), and it was August.
I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that August is a terrible time to have gaping holes in your house all day, letting the oppressive heat in.
October is much better!
And since it’s not cold or hot outside right now, I don’t mind having all the insulation out of a big section of my dining room wall for now. In January, it might be a little drafty.
-that Lisey passed her senior tech certification
She’s now certified to do every service that Valvoline offers, and she got a pay raise, which means she’s making 50% more than minimum wage.
I’m so proud of her for putting in the extra effort required to get a more than minimum wage job while she’s in college.
And I’m happy that she has learned so many useful skills while working there. Work-with-your-hands skills are a lifelong boon.
-for reliable cars
I often think about what a blessing it is to have cars that are not breaking down.
Aside from squirrel-wire-eating (which we have now solved with a $30 gadget), we have not had any serious mechanical problems with any of our cars for a long time.
-for a body that (mostly) works great
Zoe and I went on a hilly 30-mile bike ride with my family while we were camping, and I thought how thankful I am for the health to do things like that.
I have my occasional issues (my neck, my knees), but for the most part, I cannot complain about how my body has weathered 42 trips around the sun.
-for a fairly low mortgage payment
We bought our townhouse before the housing boom, sold it at the peak of the market*, and put all of the proceeds from that sale (over $100K) into this mortgage.
So our mortgage payment, even with the extra principal we pay, is still extremely reasonable.
At least, it is for this area. Those of you who live in the rural midwest would probably think it’s high.
*We deserve absolutely no credit for the timing of all this. It was providential, not planned by us! And buying this house at the peak of the market, before the crash, was not excellent. It’s taken a long time for our current house to be worth more than we paid for it, even with all the fixing up we’ve done.
-that we are settling into a school routine
Homeschooling is not new for us this year, of course, but we do have some new stuff going on: Sonia’s now taking community college classes, and Zoe’s got three tutorial classes.
Figuring out how to navigate the online classes + the subjects they’re doing at home took a bit of doing, but I feel like we are getting into the swing a little better now than we were in early September.
What are you thankful for this week?
P.S. Here’s why we do this exercise every Thursday!
Nancy says
Congratulations to your in-house mechanic on her certification!
Amanda says
Feeling very thankful here on a Friday. I am thankful for
-you, Frugal Girl. I have been reading for many, many years. I realized last week just how much you have “influenced” me when my Hungry Harvest box and my ThredUp order arrived at the same time.
You’ve shaped my thinking about my faith and my finances. Now I find myself comfortable with unexpectedly homeschooling because of your example. Thank you.
-my university. Academia has its problems, but I am so grateful for how my university has supported my scholarly journey. It has also given me space to take care of personal needs during this challenging time.
-our daughter’s progress in speech therapy. I’m so proud of how she is working and learning. My mama heart skips a beat when I can feel us starting to have conversations. When she is finally a full-on talker we will have so much to catch up on.
-my husband’s nutritionist. It is scary to me to know that my 39 year old fit husband has high enough cholesterol that the doctor is talking about putting him on a cholesterol pill. We’re trying lifestyle changes first. We already eat pretty healthy, so subbing in even more vegetables has been fairly easy. The prescription for more sleep and less stress has been a bit more difficult to achieve for my highly driven small business owner guy, but I’m hopeful for some progress on this front too.
karen says
Amanda, my sister had extremely high cholesterol and she ate such a strict diet there was nothing to change there. And like you guys she wanted to try diet before medicine. Her doctor suggested red yeast rice pills and last year she had the best cholesterol she has ever had.
Kristen says
Haha, that’s peak Frugal Girl when you get those two boxes at the same time!
I am very honored to have helped ease the transition to homeschooling for you. <3
Jenelle says
So very thankful that I had some money sitting in my PayPal account to pay off a small medial bill that was sent to collections.
Kaitlin says
-libraries. Worth every tax penny.
-the squishyness of my four year old. I know I only have a few more days of him melting into a little ball on me for hugs, and I’m sad about it because he’s my youngest.
-Fall days–cooler weather, shorter days, crispy, cruncy leaves, sunrises after I get up
-We’ve made it through our first quarter of the new school year! I think after two quarters of Pandemic Schooling I’m getting the hang of it.
Nancy Matulis says
Thankfulness:
1.Grandkids where here for 3 hours, so much fun!
2. My church friends
3. House is all cleaned, laundry done
4.DH is still hunting up North, looking forward to him coming home.
5.Budget is looking very good.. start buying Christmas gifts.
Isa says
Thankful for
* Amidst many closures and Covid restrictions in our area, the public pool and the public library are still accessible
* To be working part-time, and that being ok with hubby
* To have a spacious and safe house, so we all have our needed space during this Covid time (since we are all spending more time at home)
* To have found a cute and very affordable winter jacket after scouring 7 (!!) thrift stores today. Not an easy task when you wear Plus Size
* That myself (health care worker) and hubby (public servant) have pretty secure jobs not threatened by the Covid businesses closures
Jody S. says
I am thankful–
*for those fall colors!
*that my son’s vision has improved slightly since June. He has amblyopia which we caught sort of later than I would have wished. . . but we’ll keep patching every day.
*that I’m a good loser; otherwise, I’d have had a miserable evening this week when I played the worst game of pinochle ever.
*for stay-at-home date night tonight (in which my husband and I will be eating leftovers). It’s still a date, and I still love spending time with him.
*for kids with ambition and curiosity (you go, Lisey!).
*for telephones.
*for scrap paper to make lists.
*for arch support in my shoes.
Beth Brezinski says
Congratulations to Lisey!
What an awesome skill to have!!
Lindsey says
Thankful:
1. that the days continue to get shorter. Today the sun rises at 8:45 and sets at 6:25. I am not a big fan of sunlight.
2. that my husband and I have similar tastes in reading so sometimes we put on an audio book and sit on the couch companionably listening to our latest book and sometimes doing little chores. I knit and he is an expert seamster so he mends things while listening.
3. that we have good neighbors who watch over each other—like calling us yesterday when the husband forgot to close the garage door after pulling in. At 22 degrees, you lose a lot of heat pretty quickly.
4. that our dog will finally go out to pee by himself. When it started snowing day before yesterday, he was refusing to go out the door unless physically shoved out. It is not like he has not lived with snow before.
5. for the husband, always the husband.
Battra92 says
See I’m the total opposite. When the days get shorter I get more and more bummed.
Jen says
Absolutely the same! Short days, even cloudy one, really affect my mood and energy!
Thankful I have finally learned some things that help me, like gratitude lists!
Kristen says
Same, same. I love long days! Now, Alaskan summer days? Those would be too long for me. But American summer days are a nice length.
N says
I’m thankful that, when my husband’s medical adventures began six (!) years ago, we lucked into an amazing doctor right out of the ER. He genuinely gives a **** about his patients, gets genuinely frustrated when they don’t follow directions *ahem*, knows when to combat stubborn with stubborn, and knows when to be kind.
Owing to said adventures, we have quarterly visits, but there was a bonus appointment this month. My husband needed a small procedure done in-office, and I was there like always because we have each other’s medical Power of Attorney. (We did our due diligence and cleared my presence with the office first in case it went against their COVID precautions, but they’ve allowed it so far this year.) It’s weird to describe a doctor’s visit as pleasant, but my husband’s doctor makes it so! All of us talked and laughed throughout the 15-20 minute procedure. We even left laughing, and that’s normal. In network or out of network (he’s been both–thank goodness for our thrifty ways), we’re keeping this doctor!!!
Kristen says
A good doctor is worth every penny!
Maureen says
Thankful that we got to visit with our grand daughter last weekend and celebrate her “my day”. She turns 4 at the end if the month and it was so nice to finally see her. Three other times this year our trips were cancelled. Luckily NYers are able to visit PA.
So we met in the Poconos in PA, and as we were leaving, we hit a buck AND DID NOT GET HURT. The car on the other hand has a lot of damage to the metal and plastic. The airbags did not deploy either. Since it was drivable, we continued on with our plans. We have an appointment tomorrow for an estimate of repairs. It is a 2014 car and we do not own it outright, so we have to hope they repair it or pay off the loan.
We did decide that if the car is totaled and they pay off the loan, that we will deal with 1 car for the time being. I work from home, so I really only need a car for an appointment. I’ll use UBER for that. And I’ll get a basket for my bike if I need to go to the store for a couple of things.
Again, so thankful we were not hurt and have insurance. Here’s hoping we get the rest of the way home tomorrow morning.
Kaitlin says
Wow! I’m so glad you’re okay. Deers can do a lot of damage!
Kara says
I’m thankful for some Christmas presents purchased. I got a coupon for a free photo calendar from Shutterfly (I paid shipping) and I asked my grown kids for pictures to put in it. They do not love the photo calendar thing, but they cheerfully sent me the required pictures.
I’m thankful that our older daughter is moving to the same town as our younger daughter (and it’s 3000 miles closer to us!). Our youngest is a senior in college and this is not a fun senior year. She’s so excited to have her sister nearby. Which leads to another thankful-that our grown kids all get on so well!
I’m thankful for FIRST grandbaby on the way!!!!!!! There’s nothing else I can say after that one!
Kristen says
Ohhhh, exciting! So happy for your grandbaby news.
K D says
I am thankful for a warm and gorgeous fall day.
I am grateful that the grocery store seems to be well stocked these days. Also that everyone is wearing masks and there are not many people there early in the morning.
I am thankful that my niece had an uneventful, planned, C-section and now has a beautiful baby girl.
I am thankful for friends that meet with me outdoors and for outdoor yoga classes. Things were a bit slippery on the yoga mat when drizzle reappeared the other day but we persevered and the sky cleared.
I am thankful that I found a product that give me the “white noise” of a box fan but not the blowing. In warm weather I like the air movement of a fan when I am in bed but not in cooler weather.
I am grateful that my husband has been able to continue to WFH and that the small pay cut that is coming will not have a big impact.
Kristen says
Yes, yes, I love that grocery stores have toilet paper and such now. Whew.
BJS says
I can’t wait to see before and after pictures of your window! That’s exciting. And yay for Lisey!
– Today is a really pretty, sunny day and I was able to go on a walk this morning.
– Speaking of walks, my workplace has a walking program for the month of October. The goal is to walk at least 6000 steps a day. Employees get a piece of a picture colored in with each day of walking over 6000 steps. It sounds silly but it’s doing its job … if it’s evening time and I’m in the 5000s, I get out and go for a short walk to make it over 6000.
– My church is going to have a socially-distanced swap meet in a couple of weeks. I’m thinking of what I have that I can get rid of. Getting rid of stuff around the house makes me happy.
– Customer service representatives who are friendly. I feel like I have to make a few business-type calls every week, and it’s so nice when the person on the other end is kind.
– Recipes and the internet. I feel like I make the same things over and over and am so glad that there are recipes out there that I can look up and try.
Stephanie says
I try a lot of Kristen’s recipes with GREAT succcess!
A. Marie says
I’m thankful for…
(1) The opportunity to engage in this exercise. I join many others in thanking Kristen.
(2) The home care aides who are making my life with DH bearable right now. I now have them 3x/week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings). I can get out of the house (YEAHHHH!!!), run errands in less than half the time it would take if DH were with me, and even work in some thrift shopping and other diversions.
(3) One of these diversions has been exploring a large, old local cemetery. I stumbled entirely by accident yesterday onto a family plot where an Arts and Crafts-era architect of some local fame is buried–oddly distant from his wife in the same plot. Untangling this mystery is giving me something to think about besides Alzheimer’s.
(4) My Literary Society friends are giving me other things to think about as well. Lots of recent activity on both the local and North American levels. I follow along when I can; this means not much participation in real time, but better some participation than none at all.
(5) I’ve put up my bird feeders outside the living room windows for the winter, and this is a source of endless diversion. I may have to rejoin Cornell’s Project FeederWatch just to provide them with more citizen science data.
N says
Your local cemetery sounds lovely! I’m also intrigued by the distance between the spouses.
A. Marie says
I’ve established some details about the architect, and they’re not pretty. It seems that he got bashed over the head by a disgruntled worker on one of his projects, 6 years before his death. Not only did this immediately end his career, but he died in a state mental hospital (of course, nobody knew about the effects of traumatic brain injury back then). His wife, apparently also traumatized, buried him in an unmarked grave in the family plot and destroyed his papers. It wasn’t till a few years ago that a local Arts and Crafts group put a marker on his grave. (I was wondering not only about the distancing, but about the fact that his marker looked less weathered than hers.) This makes me further thankful that I have access to more info about brain damage than the poor wife did.
Kristen says
Oh wow, that is a sad story!
N says
Holy moly, what a story! That’s so sad. Even so, I appreciate the results of your research–thank you for updating us!
Ruth T says
After living in rural Indiana, then Virginia, and now rural Michigan I totally understand your mortgage comment. We’ve purchased houses in Indiana and Michigan but were not able to afford it in Virginia. Different worlds.
* I’m thankful for the chance to get away over the past weekend. Fall camping isn’t an option when you’re husband coaches a fall sport and (for many reasons) I’m really thankful that he’s not coaching this year.
* I’m thankful that things are going well at my daughter’s school. Two weeks straight of zero COVID cases or people in quarantine. She’s adapted well to the mask-all-day change and loves the extra outdoors time her teacher is providing.
* I’m thankful that I feel like I’ve adapted well to losing most of my routine and social circle. We’re making the best of what we have and I certainly miss particular activities and seeing my friends, but don’t feel like my life is sad or lacking.
Jennifer says
Hey, at my house, we would say the way your mortgage worked out is just a God thing! WTG for Lisey going the extra mile and if nothing else, that could always be a side hustle at any point in life.
Bee says
I love this exercise. There is always so much to be thankful for if we think about it.
* I am incredibly thankful for my rescue dog that came to live with me 2.5 weeks ago. She is absolutely wonderful.
* The rescue pup loves to walk. I am thrilled that even though I am in my late 50s. I can still walk the 5 -6 miles a day that this sweet pup needs to make the transition from hunting dog to suburbia.
* I am blessed to live someplace with sidewalks, beaches, and friendly people so we can safely walk these long distances.
* I am thankful that I made two rather large sales on eBay to prevent a mid-month shortfall that I was anticipating.
* I am so happy that my middle son – who floundered after college – seems to have finally found a path that will make him happy and provide for his needs.
I feel like today my cup runneth over…
BJS says
Hi Bee – is that your same son who walked the Appalachian Trail? I remember that you wrote about his adventures!
Bee says
It is the same son. Two years later, he hiked the Pacific Crest Trail. He also spent a summer in Alaska in between those two adventures. He has wandering toes, and I have worried about him. He is finally settling down. You have a great memory. Thank you for asking!
karen says
I am thankful for so many things especially that all my family is healthy and everyone is still working.
I am SO thankful for this site. Kristen you do a wonderful job running this site. In a world gone insane this is a place for calm, rational thought and respect. I think you have people reading and responding all over the political spectrum but none of that come out. All that comes out is civility and helpful advice.
A. Marie says
Amen to Karen’s second comment.
Kristen says
Aww, thank you for your encouragement. I am so happy that this feels like a peaceful place to be on the internet.
Anne says
1. Thankful for the half a dozen blogs I look forward to every morning. I do feel like I have a bit of community out there.
2. Especially thankful for THIS blog as it has a new post almost everyday. Most of my other favorites only post about once a week. Thanks a ton Kristen.
3. We have an indoor cat that is not allowed out. We feed and house a feral cat that won’t come in. Between the two of them, their antics provide us a ton of cat TV.
4. I’m thankful for the food bank, for which I volunteer one day a week. It makes me feel so useful, especially during these strange times. Also, I get free bread as they are overwhelmed with that particular donation.
5. And I’m incredibly thankful that my oldest son contacted me the other night for the first time in ten years. I am beyond thankful, I’m hysterical with joy. We are tentatively planning Thanksgiving together. I hope it comes off.
Vivian says
Thank you, Anne. You have given me hope. Our grandson has been estranged from the family for about 6 years after a family divorce. So sad!
Anne says
It’s beyond heart breaking. After all this time I never thought there would be reconciliation. Other people seemed to come back together, but not my family. Anxiety and depression were constantly sneaking into my thoughts. And, oh, how I hated holidays.
But there does seem to be, at least, a light at the end of the tunnel. Best wishes to you, Vivian.
Lindsey says
Some more hope for you. It took 25 years but my brother reconciled with the family. He had gone completely off the rails, selling meth and ending up in prison and was even using for a time after that (at which point we thought all was lost, since meth is so destructive). My father died not that long afterwards so we are all thankful it happened before it was too late.
Lana Popejoy says
I can attest to family coming back together. It took my husband 19 years to reunite with his mom. She just wrote him at the right time.
Kristen says
Oh, Anne! I am so happy for you and your oldest son. Celebratory hugs to you.
Kara says
That is wonderful!
Ruth says
1. That Man is finally off IV antibiotics (that I had to administer). The infection may be gone at last!
2. That Boy is preparing to move out of the house (lower utility bills)!
3. The extra bedroom will make a good room for the grandkids when they come visit.
4. That Boy will be taking a lot of our excess furniture with him when he moves out!
5. Not having to administer IV antibiotics has given me more uninterrupted time to work on projects.
Jean says
Like you say–
Thankful that my body works. I can do activities with my grandchildren, the youngest is 2. I care for the youngest 1-2 days a week so his mother and father can work at home.
Thankful for the free 4-week outside activity by a local organization. With libraries closed, there has been nothing to do with him. We walk. We go to the playground–which is daring because he has no fear. And I bring him here to play with his older cousins.
Thankful that my husband and I (as older, vulnerable people) have maintained our health.
And, like you say, happy for my affordable, dependable vehicle. Some people like expensive vehicles for show (which also means expensive repairs). I prefer dependability.
Kris says
Lisey is a go-getter! That attitude will serve her well throughout her life.
Yay new window!
I have several thankful things that are all tied up with our Sun-Mon activity. Thankful we could do an in-person campus tour for my high school senior on Monday (in Michigan’s upper peninsula–not a big campus or many positive covid cases there) as very few colleges are offering that now. Thankful the weather was good and the autumn colors were at their peak. Thankful my kids are on a hybrid school schedule and could do their school work while we were in the motel. Thankful we could make it into a fun family trip with some side destinations. Thankful for the reminder to be thankful.
Susan says
I’m thankful for
* my husband as we celebrate our 23rd anniversary on Saturday. He’s such a good partner in life!
* that we are almost through with high school for my 3rd child, and they are all doing well. I recognize this as a huge blessing that we’ve not faced any major problems as that was not the case with my family growing up.
* health insurance. I want our country to make this something no one needs to worry about.
* a much needed vacation week – not traveling but not working which is key.
* my Nespresso machine and coffee syrups from World Market which make my daily lattes just as good as Sbux! The pods are recyclable aluminum so that’s a nice bonus too.
WilliamB says
Today I am thankful for the pretty red leaves on the tree outside my bathroom window.
Madeline says
1.Thankful we can drive down to Tucson and rent an isolated cottage in nature for a Couple of days, for a safe, needed getaway! Hiking in the state park,too!
2. Grateful we are retired, safe and sound at home. Enough food,roof over head, wonderful neighbors.
3. Grateful for the Cloud Library so I can keep getting new books to read!!
4. Grateful I love to cook.Cause I am cooking 3 meals a day every day since march!!!!
5.Grateful our grown son is able to work from home and stay safe.
Katy in Africa says
I’m thankful:
– to be home after a long work trip
– that homeschooling has started off well, and with less helped needed from me than last year.
– Debt free and saving up for some large purchases.
– A house stocked with food.
– my phone with internet
Battra92 says
First that I have a wonderful wife whom I’ve been married to nine years this week. Also for a daughter who is five years old this week as well.
That I have time off and I’m allowed to take it. So many years I’ve had to fight for that.
That I do have a house that meets our needs despite the fact that it frustrates me a lot.
That I bought my house at rock bottom of the market. It’s one of the few time in my life I had good timing.
Stephanie says
SO THANKFUL THIS WEEK
1. My son with kidney disease turned 20 and is currently medically stable.
2. My Dad turned 76 today. We almost lost him to cancer five years ago.
3. Thankful for a last ditch experimental treatment that worked for my dad.
4. Thankful hot dry scorched earth days are leaving. I love FALL WEATHER.
5. Thankful to have a job even tho my job is VERY HARD with Covid.
Chris says
I am happy for you and the new window situation. A sunny dining room is a lovely, lovely thing to have.
1) I am beyond thankful that we have already had the rona and it was a very mild case for both of us and none of our kids either got it or got it without symptoms (it was late March and none of them could be tested). That circumstance has made the past several months much less worrisome than they could have been. So grateful. My husband has diabetes, so I was concerned.
2) Our business has remained solvent throughout 2020 and we will make it to 2021. Nearly all of our goals for this year have had to be delayed, but we are still in business and still have no debt. This feels like a massive win.
3) Speaking of the business…my job is rained out today and I haven’t felt great all week, due to a rough allergy season. Ahhh…a day off.
4) We started homeschooling this year and I have a good friend that did as well. Our kids have become good friends and really enjoy field trips together, which takes some of the sting away from their dramatically reduced social life in 2020. Without them the trips to the state parks and museums wouldn’t be nearly as fun and adventurous.
5) I was in a wreck last November and have almost completely rehabbed my shoulder on my own, due to the weirdness of the COVID situation. I didn’t have issues with it until January (they think it was swollen that whole time) and went to a chiroprqctor 4 times for it before the shutdown. After that I was on my own for months and it managed to figure how to stretch it, strengthen it and relax it on my own and through YouTube advice. Lol!!! I have been told my current regimen is good, but that I might need some dry needling as well. All in all, that is a win. Saved so much money and learned a lot about my body.
Focusing on gratitude on a regular basis has been incredibly helpful this year!
Angie says
Yay Lisey!!!! Invaluable skills are really handing when walking this life
I am thankful that the 80 degree temps are leaving us and it feels (finally) like we are settling into fall.
I am thankful for a spot to garden and that my garden is producing mustard greens, collard greens, swiss chard, arugula and cabbage like there is no tomorrow. All of these veggies are super good for us and I am grateful for my son to be able to learn about planting seeds, watering & tending them, and reaping a harvest.
I am thankful that I had a grandmother an uncle and a mom who all loved to cook and feed people. This instilled a love of cooking and baking in me that I now bless my family with. The pandemic has been a time that we have been very grateful for that skill and knowledge.
I am thankful for the winter pansies I found for $0.40/each this week and the joy they will give me planted around the from of my home and my deck all fall and winter long. I just LOVE pansies!
I am thankful that my blood pressure continues to drop as I am sleeping better. I will be adding in some walking this week to keep it on the downward trend and hopefully be able to avoid BP meds altogether.
Enjoy the week everyone!
JD says
That sure is a good thing to have a hole in your wall in October, not August or January! I know you’ll be thrilled to have this done. And congrats to Lisey for getting a raise and learning some skills she’ll use for a lifetime.
1. I’m thankful that while our weather has warmed up to hotter than normal again, it is not fiercely hot and we have no storms hanging off the coast this weekend.
2. I’m thankful that some of my husband’s family who caught Covid have survived it very well, especially the one with a heart condition.
3. I’m thankful for the short video my daughter sent of her baby laughing with delight at an older sibling’s efforts to amuse him.
4. I’m thankful that “past weekend me” cooked several dishes ahead so “busy weekday me” wouldn’t spend so much time in the kitchen after work.
5. I’m grateful for the glimpses of fall color that we get to see here in North Florida, with some fall leaves and bright, autumn blooming wildflowers.
Kim S. says
Super congrats to Lisey. AMAZING.
Kristen says
I will pass on your congrats.
