Thankful Thursday | I missed one!
New here? Thankful Thursday is something we've been doing in these COVID times; an exercise to help us hunt the good that is in our lives and in the world, even in the midst of a pandemic.
Well, it seems I forgot to do one of these last week.
(Update: I looked back and I did a Stitch Fix post instead. Whoops.)
So.
Here are mine, and you can add yours in the comments!
Today I am thankful:
for my iced coffee
which I am drinking as I type this!
for friends who offer listening ears
I know listening ears do not technically solve anything, but they do make me feel better, and then I am more equipped to face life.
So, it's sort of an indirect help.
for air-conditioning
I know this is on my list every week, but it is true: I am thankful for this every single day of the summer. Thank you, Lord, that I have A/C in my house.
for so many readers' responses to my survey
I've been reading through all the hundreds of responses, one by one, and I'm feeling so thankful for all the helpful feedback.
I know it takes more effort to type short answers than it does to click on multiple-choice buttons, so I am especially appreciate of everyone answering!
for the ability to blog
One of the themes I'm seeing in the survey feedback is that a lot of you read my blog because it feels comforting, calm, and familiar, and that that feels especially good right now.
I kept tearing up yesterday as I read that because it makes me so happy that this small thing I do, this typing-words-on-a-screen thing, is doing something real and helpful in the world.
for Sonia and Zoe's friends
We haven't been out and about much at all, but there are three friends that we've been having over/meeting at my parents' pool, and I am so happy for my girls, because I am happy when they are happy!
All the other COVID restrictions feel so much more manageable when there is a little bit of social interaction available.
that grocery shopping is not considered to be very risky
I was initially trying to go only every two weeks, but boy, I hated that.
So I was very happy to see that grocery shopping is considered to be quite low-risk.
Since it doesn't seem like I am likely to cause harm to myself or others by going to the grocery store, I am just crossing that off my list of things to stress over, and I am going as necessary.
And I am not freezing milk gallons anymore. Yay!
(Of course, I am wearing my mask whenever I am in a store.)
that my PT appointments have helped my neck
I had lots of painful massages and several dry needling sessions, but it's been worth it because my shoulder misalignment is better now and my range of motion has improved as well.
I've got exercises and stretches as well, and hopefully if I keep up with those, I'll be able to maintain my progress.
1. Yes, thankful that you take the time for this "typing-words-on-a-screen thing"!
2. That my Covid test came back negative, and especially that I didn't infect my elderly neighbor who I had seen before the test.
3. That our community pool is open where we can see friends and exercise.
4. That my husband got a promotion and is doing well in his career.
5. That although I could not travel to see my family this year, my mother is doing pretty well healthwise after a small stroke.
So glad you are healthy! Whew.
I'm sorry your mom had a stroke, but I am glad she's ok. It must be really hard to have your parents out of town at a time like this.
Thank you! It is hard, but thankful I have other family near her as well to check on her.
My kids have been playing so well together this morning. I still haven't figured out why they wake up some morning gunning for each other, and some mornings they seem to behave like rational humans. I guess if I could figure that out, I could make a fortune as a child-rearing consultant. 🙂
My eldest son asked if he could do his own laundry and I was like, "Well, I guess so." (Lie. I was like, "SURE. You want to do mine, too?") Given that we have no dryer, a requisite for doing laundry in our house is being tall enough to hang clothes on the line, so he's the only one right now, but at least that's one less person's laundry in the general pile.
We've had a very nice break in the heat. It's going to be a little hot again next week, but nothing like the 95+ for days at a time that we had in June and July. It was even cool enough a few days ago that I could simmer a big pot of pinto beans for most of a day without driving us all out of the house, so that was appreciated.
The tomatoes are starting to ripen. I'm going to leave it there, because that's the best one.
Homegrown tomatoes are so, so good.
And yes, yay for kids doing laundry!
Your second one made me smile. 🙂 My son just turned 4 and he will give me the biggest "Thank you, Mom!!" for doing his laundry. I love it.
Today is my birthday and I’m so grateful to God for these 58 years He has given me.
I thankful I’ll get to enjoy a birthday dinner out with my devoted husband and one of my three children.
I’m thankful for my free birthday iced coffee this morning!
I’m thankful for a first thing in the morning Birthday FaceTime call from my two sweet grandchildren.
Basically my theme is Birthday blessings!
Happy, happy birthday, Cheryl!!!!!
Cheryl! Happy birthday! I hope your day is wonderful (free iced coffee is a propitious start.)
Thank you!
Happy birthday and I hope you have many more healthy ones to come.
1. for the incredibly wonderful faculty and staff at the college my son will be starting at next month. He doesn't feel safe going to campus, so he'll be here learning remotely, and will even be able to participate in choir! My older daughter has not been experiencing the same responses to her concerns from her school - my husband's and my alma mater - so the kindness we're receiving from our son's school is all the more pronounced.
2. that a dear friend was able to fly to visit her mother who has been in poor health for months. It was not an easy trip, but after losing her husband suddenly last fall, I can't imagine what it's been like wanting to be with her mom and not being able to for so long.
3. for remote counseling for the person in my family who battles anxiety all the time, and has really be struggling. It's been a big help.
4. that my daughter is willing to accompany the rest of us while we sing hymns for our church Zoom services. The best part for her is that she doesn't have to be on the video! 🙂 I think my late grandmother who was a church pianist would be delighted to know that her great granddaughter, who shares her middle name, is making beautiful music on her piano.
5. that, like Kristin, I have AC. I just got back from trying to record myself singing and playing piano in our un-air conditioned church sanctuary because it's beautiful and our congregation loves seeing it in the recordings. Alas, I was about to pass out and was having trouble seeing the music as my glasses were sliding down my nose, so I came home and they'll just have to settle for my piano room again. 🙂
Sorry, that should obviously be "Kristen." The one time I don't double check...
I am thankful that my two favorite hobbies, running and reading, are mostly unaffected by covid. Although I sure did miss all those library books when the libraries were closed!
I'm thankful that I'm a stay at home mom, so we don't need to arrange childcare with this crazy school year coming up.
I'm thankful that the weather is nice (usually) and we have so many parks and outside activities to do.
I'm thankful that my kids ages 3 and 5 play well together.
I’m thankful my Aldi now requires masks. It’s a small store and I didn’t feel comfortable going before.
Thankful it looks like my son will be able to go to school in person, at least for now.
Thankful for rain, I didn’t have to water the garden.
Thankful for ebooks from the library, I read an average of 2 books a week and it’s nice being able to get one whenever I want.
1. I am thankful that at this current moment it looks like I will have the ability to chose whether to send me kids to in person learning or do 100% online. I realize this can change and I still have no idea what I am going to do but I’m grateful for the option.
2. I am grateful that our a/c is limping along enough. It had died the week the temps were above 95 and it not gonna lie...I was not my best self for those few days. Along those lines, I’m thankful that we have the funds to have the entire HVAC replaced in our house next month. There were many years in the past where that would have been impossible.
3. I’m thankful that my puppy did not undo the surgery he had on both of his back legs when he hurt his knee the other day playing. The xrays showed everything intact.
1. I am thankful that I have a job and that I can work from home.
2. I am thankful that I have a wonderful, easy to get along with, 19 year old son
3. I am thankful that I don't have covid 19
4. I am thankful that I can go to the store at 5AM so I have the grocery store to myself
5. I am incredibly grateful that my transplant is still working after 38 years thanks to a perfect match from my Dad.
I admit it's been very tough to be thankful this week as I lost a close relative and there wasn't a funeral I could attend. I am glad to know she was a strong Christian and is in Paradise now. She is also with her husband (who was the true love of her life and a strong Christian) as well as her son whom she missed dearly. I'm also thankful of all the wonderful memories I have of her and that she was able to live a good, long life and died peacefully.
I'm thankful that my daughter's surgery went smoothly (well as smoothly as it can.) She did *not* do well with the situation and has been a bit of a terror since. But she's on the road to recovery and with God's grace will be fully healed before we know it.
I'm thankful for that video of the woman making rice badly and the comedian reacting to it. It's made me laugh more than twice this week.
For having a stash of parts on hand to repair stuff when it's broken. In this case I had a Blu-ray player that wouldn't eject discs. All that was wrong with it was a 10 cent rubber belt.
That I have a family to visit this weekend.
I am so sorry for your loss!
I’m so sorry for your loss. Also, I hope your daughter gets better very soon.
Thanks. She's mostly on the mend now. It was minor surgery (ear tube removal) and outside of an infection we've been treating with ear drops, she's getting better each day.
I'm glad we have insurance. The Dr. told us to expect sticker shock on the drops. When the pharmacist rang up $30 I breathed a sigh of relief. She couldn't tell me how much they cost without insurance (why is beyond me but some laws and regs are stupid) but said they were really expensive.
May her memory be a blessing and your faith a comfort to you.
1. I am thankful for being able to see friends outside. The weather is warm but with shade it is worth it. I also have been able to attend an outdoor yoga class once a week, the past several weeks. Those things bring a sense of normality.
2. That my husband is enjoying his staycation. He is using the time to get stuff done around the house and yard. Heat does not bother him much.
3. That we are able to get out early for walks, before the heat makes it difficult.
4. That I had my annual physical in person and there are no issues. I just received my lab reports from the blood work and everything is in the normal range. Also, I have not shrunk, a big deal when you are in your 60s.
5. That we have enough to eat and getting groceries does not seem to be too difficult these days.
6. That I have made a stronger connection with a cousin during this time.
- My grocery spending has been really low this month! Even low for a pre-COVID time for us. Such a relief!
- I got to see my old college roommate and meet her new baby yesterday! I missed a lot of her pregnancy because of the pandemic and she's not doing playdates right now, but my kids were at my parents' house for a sleepover yesterday so I made the hour drive, sat in a chair outside 8 feet away from her, and had a lovely conversation with my friend and got to gaze at her baby from afar. It was delightful!
- Also yesterday, I took a walk with a friend in the morning. It's a friend that I'm used to working out with 3x a week and I MISS her. We picked a place with a wide sidewalk and walked and talked for 45 minutes. So nice.
- My garden is producing pretty well. While I may not end up with enough tomatoes to can everything I want to, I should be able to do a fair amount. And we're starting to get lots of green peppers! (I didn't get as many peppers as I hoped for last year.) Soon I can slice and freeze them for fajitas in the winter.
- My parents! It's great to have them close enough to visit and I'm grateful that they took the kids for a night. The kids loved it, which I'm also thankful for.
- We are now 5 days away from my Bucket List camping trip to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. I'm thankful that the park is still open and we should be able to do most all of the things I'd like to do there.
- My husband still has a job. Probably 90% of the facility where he works is still closed and I don't know how long they can manage to stay in business without opening more, but I appreciate how much they're working to keep him paid. I've seen over the years how they truly do care for our family and how they value him as an employee. I'm thankful for both of those things!
- Comedians producing online content. There's one I follow and I appreciate the laughs even more over the last few months!
That was a long list. I've got a lot to be thankful for today and I know that list is just scratching the surface!
1. I am very thankful for air conditioning. It's been 95+ here this week and 90% humidity!
2. I am thankful that my husband, who is in a high risk category for COVID, can work from home full time and that I can work some at home.
3. I thankful that we can still order groceries online for pickup and delivery. I do not feel comfortable going out to shop yet.
4. I am thankful that my son was able to restart his therapy sessions via a Zoom meeting. I worry about his mental health with him being stuck at home.
5. I am thankful that the number of hospitalized COVID patients are starting to go down in our area after the governor issued a mask mandate.
I am also thankful for AC! It's been 90s all week. We have window ACs so I don't like how they take up the whole window all summer, but I do like how they keep the house cool!
I'm thankful for the summer school lunch program! I just found out that the next town over was having it, and it's open to any resident of any town ages 0-18. I went yesterday and picked up their offerings (They do 2 pick ups per week, Mondays you get 2 days worth of meals, and Wednesdays you get 3). My kids got so much food! They each got mozzarella sticks and fries, a sandwich, a grilled cheese, tons of fruit and vegetable (they each got a whole sweet potato!), juices, milks (a quart each, and 2 pints each), snacks, and a cinnamon roll, a muffin, and a cereal! It's not TOTALLY the healthiest options, but it's stuff I wouldn't normally buy and they are excited about it. Plus it gives me a little break from having to figure out what to give them for lunch every single day (they've had PB&J for several days in a row now lol).
I'm thankful for my garden! I just harvested some potatoes, which were fun to grow. We have about a million tomatoes coming, squash and zucchini, cucumbers. Our fruits just stopped producing but we had strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries! It's nice to be able to walk out to the garden and pick something 🙂
I'm thankful that we have a mini gym in the garage/breezeway! It's not perfect, and it's HOT. But without it I think I would have lost my mind by now. We already had a treadmill, and we bought a spin bike just when corona really started ramping up (used). I have weights, a step, TRX straps, a barbell with weights, bands, a slam ball, foam rollers...etc. Basically anything we need! I also signed up for the Peloton app which is a life saver for me. I've been working out consistently for many years, and I'm so thankful that I am able to get a decent workout at home, too!
I am thankful that we have enough saving to retire comfortably so don't have to worry about maintaining a job in these hectic times.
I am thankful for a husband who loves me enough to do the things that support my well being.
I am thankful that we live in a community that cares about our health so is willing to do things that support us isolating like delivering meals to our door by setting a bag outside, ringing the bell, then walking away.
I am thankful for management bringing entertainers to our parking lot so we can watch/listen from our balcony.
I am thankful for air conditioning so I don't have to open windows and let in all the allergens out there.
As a newbie, I accidently hit something and my post disappeared, hopefully it was posted to your blog.
4. My son in another state with my precious baby granddaughter showed me how to facetime with them. What a delightful experience and she can pronounce my nickname.
5. Thankful to celebrate my youngest sibling's 60th birthday with a dinner at her home, all 6 siblings in attendance. Delicious home cooked Italian and seafood meal. Plus, my brother crabbed that morning and he brought a bushel of steamed Maryland hard crabs for the birthday girl. She graciously shared and we all had a wonderful visit. Here's a tip for you all, we made a point of celebrating together for each of our 60th birthdays in turn. Since restaurants are too loud to hear (ahem!, older ears) we let the birthday person choose their favorite things to eat, and we made a big dinner at one of our homes. We we could easily order food too but most of us love to cook and bake. Now that we will begin to turn 70 next year and we anticipate it being harder as the years pass to get together. Our new plan is to at least meet once a year in mid-June. Not too cold, not too hot (fingers crossed), possibly a BBQ or something similar like a big pot luck.
Thank you Kristin's blog readers, I consider you all family and wish you good health and a joyful rest of your summer. The kindness everyone shares here is a really nice form of "paying it forward".
My first 3 things to be thankful for did not post (Sigh?) so here they are.
1. AIR CONDITIONING!! Both in the house and car.
2. Free on-line books at my library. I have trouble getting out to pick up paper books and then getting them returned on time.
3. Along with #2, when I receive notice that a book is in my account, if I cannot get to it I can release it the next person waiting with a click of a button. Then I am put in the queue as the next one one the waiting list, yay for not having to go to the back of the line. Technology is a wonderful thing!
Thankfulness while waiting at the DMV
1. Thankful that the DMV has reopened and rescheduled an appointment for my daughter to take her learner’s permit test.
2. Thankful that we got to wait under a tree. There were pop up tents, but so many people that many were in the blazing sun. I felt very bad for them. My kind daughter gave up her seat inside many times when she was offered one, so hopefully it made their line shorter.
3. Thankful for my daughter’s independence that she could go inside by herself to take the test (I was not allowed due to COVID-19 capacity restrictions.) , and pay the fee with her own ATM card. I was much more shy at her age.
4. Thankful for my husband who is kind, generous, and funny. I’m thankful he can watch baseball on tv again. He has really missed it.
5. Thank you, Kristen, for reminding us to count our blessings. I don’t do this as often as I should.
(1) I got a beautiful retirement e-card with comments from everyone I've ever worked with at my company (in my department and out). Probably my favorite comment came from my editor-in-chief: "You are incomparable. If you were a basketball player, I'd retire your jersey."
(2) And the various other retirement send-offs are helping my peace of mind: I can keep my company 401(k) where it is (and I'm not raring to make any sudden moves at the moment), and I'll be getting a nice pay-off from my remaining unused vacation days.
(3) Although life with DH in his present state definitely has its ups and downs, I am appreciating not having to juggle editing work as part of the mix. Being able to give my full attention to this = priceless.
Congratulations on your retirement, A. Marie!
I've been following your journey with your husband's health, and am continuing to send good thoughts your way.
1) thankful for my friend who nagged me into turning on the air conditioning. It's in high 90s here this week and I am stuck at home due to a concussion so I was miserable in the heat.
2) Thankful for the air conditioning!!
3) Thankful for my job even though supervisors/managers are irritating the poo out of me right now, money is a good thing.
4) thankful for Facebook so I can keep in contact with friends and family without risking their health or mine
I’ve been keeping track so I have things to post.../
1. I spent the day yesterday with my daughter and we went to my sister’s house and hung out with her and her 4 kids. Very relaxing and fun. We rode the go cart, played baseball, swam, ate lunch, visited, had breakfast and lunch there.
2. We anted pizza last week and it was 50% off with a code.... we saved almost $15.
3. Our car insurance company finally applied a discount to our cars for driving less during COVID saving us $158.25 for the month. I really liked that bill a lot better!
4. Reviewed our phone bill and cancelled two devices saving me $72.72.
5. A food pantry in our community operates out of my work building and one day they didn’t have as many participants. They had 20# boxes of produce that they let us employees have as they didn’t have a means to store them for 2 weeks
Family
Instacart (because no matter what our stores are busy)(and I don't have to go to Costco)
Taking classes online to stay busy and always learning
Even tho the world out there looks like it in an uproar, I feel blessed.
We don't have to go to a church to worship or get close to God, we can do it at home...
Also we were able to play softball this summer in the Coed League, so while we were on the field it felt like the world was almost normal..
One thing that I would ask you to consider with your grocery habits is the safety and comfort of the people who work at your store. We feel really unsafe with tons of people in the store, particularly now that our companies have abandoned almost all safety practices and are no longer limiting the number of people in the store, brought back self-service bulk bins, no longer sanitize anything and seem more concerned with making money than with the well-being of their employees. And when people are coming in for one item all the time and crowding the store, it feels so disrespectful from our perspective, because it's exposing the people who work at the store to even more people for an item or a couple of items that aren't really essential. I know you are doing the best you can but that is a grocery worker's perspective. We feel very vulnerable being exposed to hundreds, if not thousands, of people during a single shift. We appreciate very much when people are able to do their shopping in as few trips as possible, because it helps us feel respected and like others are trying to minimize their time in public. Our stores no longer care about us or you in terms of your health or safety, so we have to try to take care of each other, instead. <3 Obviously sometimes there are things you need and it's not avoidable, but I am a huge fan of the "only go to the store every so often" approach.
This is not meant to make anyone feel bad, I just wanted to provide a perspective that you may not have heard. No need to freeze milk gallons, certainly. 🙂
Thanks Amber, it is good to have this feedback. I live close to 2 grocery stores and was in the habit of stopping in any old time.
When the pandemic started I really tried to go every 2 weeks but apparently my feeble brain could not do this. So after I read the story about grocery shopping being low risk, I gave a big sigh of relief and started grocery shopping once a week.
Now I have been thinking about going into the stores just for any old thing any old time, but for some reason I have been resisting and making do with once a week.
Now I will continue to do this especially after reading your post,
I am humbled by your response. Thank you. You’re an inspiration to me not just in a frugal happy life but also in your values and ethics 🙂
Amber,
Thank you for sharing your perspective! I so appreciate it. I can't imagine how hard this is for you right now. I've had a lot of times to double my shopping - in terms of items - because I am shopping for others as well as me. I try to go as little as possible which is working out to be about every 7-10 days. I call folks and take orders, make a big list and go.
I have one grocery store where I live where I regularly see staff wearing masks. The others. including Aldi, not so much. In fact, at my local Aldi I have talked to their manager directly after I saw some no mask wearing/ improper mask wearing while dealing with their customers. I was reassured they would be spoken to but the next time I went in it was the same thing. I called corporate the next time. I haven't been in since because frankly, I am too scared. My Mom has an Aldi by her house and they have been wearing their masks, so I feel okay going there. To be honest, I can't afford to not shop at Aldi. I eat gluten free and I can't afford to pay 8.99 for a loaf of bread that is half the size of a regular loaf of bread. Not only is the Aldi loaf bigger, but its about $3.50 cheaper and I try to buy 2-3 loaves at a time. That savings adds up!
It's hard and hot to work in masks for sure, but at the same time, it really surprises me how often I see people with their noses hanging out or masked chins. I wish they were as conscientious as you. You are 100% right, we all have to keep each other safe. I wish you and your family all the best! <3
1. Still losing 7 minutes a day of sun, thank heavens. Today sun rose at 4:45 and is setting at 11:05. Even then we still have what they call civil daylight, so not entirely dark but we are getting there.
2. Two weeks of rain and day temps in the low 60s and some higher 40 degrees at night have ended. Yesterday it hit 70 at our house!
3. I have enough tomatoes coming in that I can give some away a friends who has no room to garden.
4. The peony season is ending here but I have a final blast of large bouquets in every room of the house, including the bathroom. It makes me feel like Elton John, who reportedly spends hundreds a month to have flowers in every room.
5. I hauled my spare change jars to the bank, where they have been asking for coins due to the shortage. I had $130 worth...which the bank gave me cash plus a coupon for a local coffee truck for a free drink. I don't like coffee but the husband will be thrilled.
I used to live in Anchorage and the sunlight all the time during summer was really fascinating, until it was exhausting. I couldn't wait for the months when darkness would come regularly. And then darkness came and after a while I couldn't wait for sunlight to return. Climate whiplash, but totally worth the joy of living in Alaska.
1. My daughter heard me whisper in her left ear, which until surgery a few weeks ago had 0% hearing. We don't know how much hearing she'll get back, but she heard something I whispered to her for the first time in years.
2. My own very good hearing. Walking through multiple ear surgeries, hearing aids, and protheses with my daughter has shown me how marvelous a gift hearing is.
3. A week of almost sorta normal: My husband returned to work, and it has been tremendously good for him and us as a family.
4. My small children. They constantly remind me how much they love me, and that has been such a source of joy amidst the stress of the last few months.
5. Highs are lower than 95 this week! and tomorrow it's going to stay in the 70s/lower 80s with storms. (I love summer rain) Triple digit weather for all of July, much of August is normalish here, so this is a gift.
That's great to hear that your daughter is regaining at least some hearing! I lost a lot of hearing in my left ear last year. It was a mystery for the doctors and was preparing for hearing aids and the possibility of being deaf in one ear. Thankfully my hearing has been mostly restored but it is a scary place to be in so any hope is great!
1. air conditioning - I just mowed the lawn and was SO grateful to come into a cool house
2. online grocery ordering -- even though things are not back to "normal" where I live, stores still have reduced caps, reduced hours etc -- its just easier (and safer) to order them online
3. that our house is big enough for the three of us to be home pretty much all the time and not be in each others hair. The kiddo is done school until Sept -- and my husband and I are still working from home with no ETA on when our jobs will be back in the office.
4.that my family remains healthy
5. that my premier (like a govenor in the US), is really trying to keep people safe. We have 79 active cases for our entire province, and even though "lock down" is not comfortable, it is working
1. Sunshine and fresh air. The pandemic can't take those away from us!
2. I've been working a little again recently and in addition to the extra income, it's been enjoyable.
3. Your survey yesterday, Kristen, was really nice. It and all the kind comments made me realize why I've been reading your blog for so long.
4. Healthy family. I'm repeating this one, but the more I hear about health issues that others have to deal with, the more grateful I feel.
5. Wisdom that comes from being a little bit older. I don't get as wrapped up about little things as I used to, and I attribute that to my age. I'm only here on earth for a little while, and I want to use my time for good things instead of bad. That's easier said than done, but I'm trying!
For delivery services so I don’t have to go to the hardware store - I didn’t enjoy it before COVID and now I may never go again!
For the tile paint that was just delivered, which will hopefully make my sad and sorry looking guest bathroom look clean and inviting.
For my freezer which is still at least half full from the last big shop I did in March.
For my twin grandsons, son and daughter in law who live nearby and are a real source of joy.
For restaurants that provide real (not fast) food for pickup when I’m too tired to make healthy food.
1) That I have a family to be with during this crazy time. We miss doing a lot of things that we usually do during the summers but we have each other and that’s enough.
2) My raised garden bed that has tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers growing. The garden bed was what I asked for on Mother’s Day this year and it has been a joy to watch things grow.
3) Good books to read from the library curbside pickup service.
4) That toilet paper and paper towels are no longer difficult to find in my area.
5) That some testing I had done this week came back quickly and that everything is normal so I can stop worrying about it. 🙂
It is so, so nice to have toilet paper available again!
For online teaching that will continue in the fall semester. I was really scared to go back to my beloved community college classroom. I'll miss face-to-face teaching but it's too scary right now.
For a stable job with benefits
For the ability to offer my "homeless" daughter and her boyfriend (temporarily between apartments) a comfortable place to stay
For air-conditioning! I'm with you on this Kristen. I never cease to be grateful for it in the summer. I grew up without it and life is just much more bearable with it.
For tons of leftovers from our birthday celebration last night so I don't have to cook at all today!
For Graeter's Ice Cream Cakes which everyone in my family just absolutely loves for special days.
Along those lines, I'm thankful for Air Conditioning Repair!! Ours went out last night, and here in Northern California it's about 100, 80's overnight--so it was a hot night! But the repair man is here now to fix it and let us sleep well. So thankful 🙂
I'm also thankful that 2 and 3 year olds aren't phased by the heat like their Mama was. Kids are so resilient, and love playing with bowls of ice by a fan!
I am thankful for baseball being back on TV at least (even if we can't go to games). I am also extremely thankful for air conditioning. I am thankful for positive experiences like getting up at 4 am to watch the Mars Rover launch with my 11-year-old daughter this morning. I am thankful for a great camping trip this past weekend.
Writing from Italy without a/c, and today my car left in the sun had reached 41 Celsius, I can understand your point about a/c. But still, I am thankful too, for a nice midnight breeze coming in from the window tonight! Saluti dall'Italia
I am thankful for free apples to pick. We picked probably 40 pounds yesterday. I saw the offer from a person in my county gardening group on Facebook. I did not know them, so I went with my husband in the evening. It turned out to be a lovely lady from Ireland (I'm from England).
I am thankful that my clothespeg bag sold. I designed it myself. I hope someone else enjoys hanging laundry on their line as much as I do.
I'm thankful for free plums from my parent's neighbor's yard. I made delicious plum jam yesterday.
I'm thankful for the cool coastal breeze that springs up every evening.
I'm thankful to finish the classroom bunting for my daughter-in-law, and for my husband who is always willing to walk over to the post office to mail a package. I'm thankful for the sweet companionship that my son has in his wife. A friend's son joined the military recently. He is single and missing his family. My son is military and happy as a clam with his sweet wife and a dog and cat.
1. For warm weather at last, after a very cool, rainy start to the summer.
2. For my basement apartment which is cool after I come in from enjoying the warm weather.
3. That our province announced that students will be returning to school full time in learning cohorts in the fall. I was really, really dreading having to start a school year and establish a class community with a distance learning model. I live in a fairly isolated and low-risk/incidence area for COVID-19, and the measures in place seem sensible for our location.
4. For good books and time to read during summer holidays.
5. For fresh summer berries. Yum!
1. That the upstairs neighbors in our 2-family house have central AC and that our house is so old that the AC seeps through and cools our apartment.
2. I was able to safely visit my parent and sister for only the 2nd time in 2020. I made dinner as my mom hates cooking in the summer, and I brought home free cucumbers and a bouquet of zinnias from parents garden and a free dozen eggs from my sister's chickens
3. I love to cook! And I now have plenty of time to try new recipes and my partner is an adventurous eater and is up for anything that I want to try.
4. I can teach all of my summer college classes online, which means that I don't have to drive from MA to NY each week to teach, and I can stay safe
5. Netflix movie night watch party with friends, and Zoom cocktail parties and coffee dates. AND I get to stay in my pajamas for all of them.
1. I have to add air conditioning also, even though every one says it. It was still over 100 degrees at 7:00 p.m. tonight. I actually live in fear that it might break.
2. We're retired but have a house cat that is truly a family member. He's so affectionate, couldn't image life without him.
3. We fed a feral cat that then presented us with five kittens. We agonized over what was the right thing to do. I wanted to keep all the cats. We ended up taking the adorable kittens to a shelter so they could each find a forever home. After a great deal of tribulation we finally caught momma cat in a trap and we took her to our vet to be spayed and vaccinated. She's back, running feral again, just stops by for a meal when she's hungry. But we feel very good that she'll have no more kittens and that we did the right thing.
Good job on humanely trapping mama cat and helping her out via spay and vaccination.
1. I'm grateful that my husband values me being home with our 4 crazy kiddos and God had given him a job than can support us all so that...
2. I can continue homeschooling. We already were (I was home educated myself, and Kristen, just have to say I think I may be the extra sister you never knew you had, our upbringing sounds so similar!) and I'm so glad to continue in already- familiar paths. My prayers are with those making hard education choices and transitions right now!
3. The can-do spirit that was passed down to both my husband and me, that we're training our kids in now too. I love how with a bit of Internet research (hello YouTube!), we able to conquer just about anything on our fix it lists. A fun example: when I got in from running errands tonight, my 12-year-old son proudly showed me an electric potter's wheel that he'd rigged up using the motor from a dehumidifier and scrap lumber. It's a total redneck rig, but I LOVE that he's creative and bringing his dreams to life. Can't wait to see where he ends up with that fire!
4. Good friends. We stayed with some dear friends two nights last week and they went out of their way to make us feel so welcome and cherished. We are usually the ones to host guests, and it was lovely to be pampered.
5. The ways technology has made this Covid time easier; from online buying to video chats to e-learning, I think of other generations that endured crisis without that support and am truly grateful!
6. Your sweet and encouraging daily blogs are a joy, and I'm so glad for them!
I relate so much to #2 in your list; I feel awful for people thrust into homeschooling. It's one thing to choose it, and it's quite another to have no real choice in the matter.
Wouldn't it be fun if we could have a cup of coffee together and chat about our similar upbringings? The internet is nice, but there are so many times I wish I could actually be real life friends with readers!
We have had a number of medical issues within the family over the last few weeks. I am happy that my granddaughter does not have the Covid 19 virus. It was very scary for her. Her father has had some heart issues at the tender age of 23. He has been for a barrage of tests and everything is good. I am so thankful those blessings.
I am waiting for my Covid test results. This is my second test and I have a miserable sinus and ear infection.
Our new car uses so much less petrol which is fantastic. Fuel is so much cheaper at present. Double bonus.
Feel better soon! Hoping for good health for you and yours.
1. I am grateful that the surgeon was able to remove 100% of the cancerous tumor in my MILs lung. The cancer was discovered during the pandemic and the surgery required that she and my husband travel out if state. Everything about it was scary. She is home, fine, and cancer free!
2. Air conditioning! We never had central air until several years ago. A big flood damaged our furnace and duct work in the basement. Since this was the third flood to damage the furnace the insurance adjuster totaled it and all the duct work. It was a big blessing as the furnace was the wrong size fir our house and the previous owner had done a terrible DIY job on the duct work. We put some xtra $ to the insurance check and installed a dual heating and cooling unit. So wonderful!
3. I’m thankful we have a nice sized house and yard to relax in during the pandemic 4. I’m so grateful my friend gave us her small above ground pool. Itsjus big enough fir all three o us to lounge in toStay cool
5, family, friends, and our crazy collection of pets that always has us laughing. And I learned to make jelly, and we have done so many many projects around the house.
I'm thankful that I'm feeling better than I was yesterday...some kinda stomach bug.
For all the work my family did while I laid in bed yesterday.
Sun to dry our laundry.
Lots of food in the cupboards and freezer.
The Psalms, I love how they talk about the greatness of God and remind me to get my mind off myself
1. That my husband seems fully recovered from the mild case of COVID-19 he had earlier this month and the rest of the household stayed healthy.
2. That I will get to go back to work right before the busiest time of year! A bit tongue in cheek thankful about that one. 😀
3. That the heat wave finally eased off and our old AC system is hanging in there.
4. I am especially thankful for our three rescue dogs and the awesome cat who claimed us 12 years ago, and that they are all healthy and keep us so entertained.
5. For all the DIY skills learned from my parents, as I see something I made or mended in every room of our house.
I am thankful
That our daughter's speech therapy is going well. And that she is not starting kindergarten until next year. Instead of fears about missing kindergarten entirely, we are blessed with a year to do speech therapy and phonetical awareness to get her closer to on par with her peers.
That there is a job for me to apply to. I am supposed to go on the academic job market this fall; a market that basically won't exist this year. So having any job to apply to fills me with gratitude. Even if I don't get it.
That I have a wonderful husband. We have been married for seventeen fantastic years now. I am just continuously amazed at how kind, loving, and supportive he is. We're starting a big house project right now that will require us to work closely together. It is a true joy to plan and execute a project with him.
That I have one more month of childcare to finish as much as possible of my dissertation. I'll be homeschooling all four kids in the fall. It is the best decision for us from financial, health, and well-being standpoints. But boy will it be hard. I am so thankful for this time to focus on my own work so I won't have the added strain on me of worrying about what needs to be done for my career. I expect homeschooling will be extremely difficult at moments, but I'm preparing to be able to completely focus on the kids and my own mental health to give us the best chance of success.
Thankful that our new neighbors are the sweetest couple ever.
We had enough garden veggies to share with them.
I had a slight work break and enough time to read a couple of books. Miracle!
Hubs got free produce from a local stand.
Went to Goodwill to drop a couple things off, they were having .25 baby toys & clothes. Spent $2 and got baby some toys and a pink retro hat with a peace sign on it. There were only 5 people in GW and all wore masks, also at the grocery store 100% masks.
I will continue to do the shop online for regular boxed groceries but when it comes to meat & produce I need to go in. I am too picky. I hope it is offered long past this situation.
I am thankful for people like you who are "doing something real and helpful in the world."
And I am thankful for road construction, after it is done.
I am thankful for air conditioning also, especially as all the lakes and rivers by us are very crowded right now and I'm not willing to brave crowds. I am also thankful for the time we have had with my eldest daughter because of covid-19, she had to move home after her third year of university to await the start of her internship which was delayed until September. I am most thankful for the time that I've had to think about life, what's really important and what I'd like to do in the future. Slowing down has given me so much clarity. I also feel indebted to my governments handling of the pandemic, in that our numbers are low, hot spots and outbreaks few.
1. I have been Covid positive since 4 July. I am considered high risk due to several other serious health ailments. It’s been a slow recovery but it beats being in ICU, ER or dying.
2. My job allows me to telecommute so I am thankful for no loss of income.
3. My rescue dog. She’s a 2 yr old GSD and the love of my life. She was dumped at the pound when they were done backyard breeding her; I am so thankful I found her after losing my prev dog at 16.5 years old.
4. I am thankful for good friends who, despite my Covid, have offered if I need groceries, food, etc.
5. A/C! It’s been hot here in Nor California! So thankful for A/C.