Thankful Thursday | I'm beat
This week, I am thankful:
that I am finished with shifts for the week
My goodness, the shifts I worked over the last three days were really...something.
Obviously, I can't tell you about it all, but woo, I am exhausted.
Normally, when I work three days in a row, I'm in a pretty good groove by the time the third day rolls around. I know the patients, the patients know me, and I know how to make it all work.
But that was not true this time; I was just running, running, running all three days, never feeling like I got caught up at all.
It's not always like this, of course, and I'm not complaining. I'm just saying: I AM SO GLAD I'M OFF TODAY! 😉
My body needs a little rest, please and thank you.
that I got to see my buddy Brittany last night
She was working the night shift, so I got to hand my patients off to her, and I was so happy I got to see her. 🙂
What a fun thing it is that we met during prereqs and now here we are, being floor nurses together.
for my warm house
I will say this for my oil furnace/hot water heating system: it does a bang-up job in very cold weather. My house doesn't feel at all cold to me, even though it has been unusually frigid weather here for the last few weeks.
You may remember that my landlords put in a new furnace over the summer, and I could swear the new one does a better job, although I have no idea if that is merely a placebo effect in my brain.
I know my oil tank refill bill will be tremendous after this cold snap, but that is not a topic for a post titled Thankful Thursday. Ha.
that I got another raise
My hospital did a market evaluation, decided what they were paying us as new grads wasn't competitive even after the annual raise, and added another $0.84/hour to my pay rate. Yay!
I do understand that this is possibly motivated less by goodwill/a dedication to fairness, and more by not-wanting-to-lose-staff, but I honestly do not care what the motivation is. I'm just grateful for the raise. 🙂
And it's especially nice coming on the heels of the recent annual staff evals/raises. Woohoo!
that winter weather doesn't bother me very much
Ok, yes, this ice/snow combo is kinda inconvenient, and yes, I don't exactly want to sit outside and drink my morning coffee, but....overall, cold weather doesn't irritate me.
A muggy, buggy summer day tests my patience WAY more than this does. 😉
Which is why I will not be accepting any nursing jobs that involve moving south (unless it's like...California. Ha.)
I have a way better winter attitude than summer attitude!
for my coworkers
I love my unit coworkers so much. And I am very grateful for the way that they kindly answer my questions (because sheesh, I run into new and unfamiliar situations almost every shift!)
I also feel happy that I am getting to be much more familiar with the non-unit staff, like PT/OT, the doctors and their residents, and so on. I didn't interact with them very much as a tech, so this has been a whole new world for me.
that my PT seems to be helping
It is not a magic bullet, of course, but I am having less pain and more mobility. Yay!
That I have yarn in my stash for the sweater I want to make.
That my local library asked me to be their ad-hoc knitting teacher (tutor? advisor?) for their new weekly knitting/crochet group. And that they don't need me to commit to every session, since I would have had to say no if that were the case.
That I'm sleeping better again.
That my dog didn't beg for walks during the cold snap.
That sounds like fun! I wish I had knew of a knitting bee that was not during working hours.
I am really over winter weather, but I have a more positive attitude to summer. I just don't like any extreme for too long! It's been incredibly cold lately and it normally starts to warm up a little by now. I hope you get to enjoy your break and be cosy with the cats!
My thankfuls:
1. It is nearly time for my holiday. I am excited to go to Florence and I'm also excited to get into milder temperatures! Having said that, I did enjoy a wintry walk last week and seeing the ice and snow on the beach.
2. I managed to go to the gym twice a week for all of January (and this week as well).
3. I had a really fun evening with my friend in Sweden last week, and got to meet some of her friends at her book club. I'm also thankful that it's so easy geographically to travel to other countries here!
4. My electric kettle is starting to sputter out but for now it's hanging on until I can get a new one (a less fun thing about here is that supermarkets don't stock everything so it's not always easy to replace right away).
5. I enjoyed a long phone conversation with a friend the other day.
Sophie, my daughter and family in Denmark complain that it is not cold enough there! They are used to New England weather, so it's all relative, I guess!
That's funny! It's been around -5, which google tells me is 23 F, but it's felt colder because of a strong wind.
Maybe it's the week because mine has been a blur, too. Rest up. This week I am thankful:
*that all of my busy running has been for pleasant reasons.
*that my son was okayed for his first solo flight. Today we will be checking into renter's insurance because that's necessary before a solo; doesn't that seem weird? So, that big flight, depending on weather, will be next week!
*that I get to see my friend tomorrow. Our families are getting together, and I love those times so much.
*that I got to see my other friend (and her family) over the weekend. Her children are friends with my children, too. They just moved back to my state, so my kids are ever so happy to have more "close" friends. (They are still more than an hour away.)
*for the fascial counterstrain appointment I have today. I still don't understand how it works, and it still seems a little "out there" -- but I can't argue with the results. I'm hoping it will also help keep my vertigo away.
*for cozy homeschool days and for college boys who call (one sometimes, one all the time). For my coffee and the fun of pretending to serve my family gruel (steel-cut oats) in Dickens style this morning. That my daughter's textbook has an assignment requiring her to mend something; she mends anyway, but what she decided to mend came out of my mending pile.
If you were going to serve gruel Jane Austen style (think Mr. Woodhouse in Emma), you'd have to lace it with a little wine. That's probably why Mr. Woodhouse likes his gruel so much. 😛
Well, I suppose it wasn't really Dickens-esque either because mine had a healthy dose of butter in it. But I did pretend that I could slop it into their bowls in a most satisfactory manner. But that was all in my head because I really just set the pot on the table and hollered, "Come and get it." They did the rest. 🙂 Y'all might think I'm crazy, but it's really quite frugal to provide yourself with an inner-dialogue that delights because it's free entertainment, right? (And, for the record, I realize I sound kind of crazy right now, but I do get in silly moods sometimes. This is one of my silly moods.)
I hope one of your kids said 'Please Sir, can I have some more?'
They did not. 🙁
Jody S,
When I'm getting ready to serve dinner, and it's something I know my husband particularly likes, I'll ask him if he wants a "heapin' helpin' ", a la the Beverly Hillbillies theme song. 🙂 I also serenade my teenage son with snippets of songs from the play Hamilton when appropriate. Silly is fun!
Now there's an idea!! 🙂
Zoe and I made gruel one time for a Dickens assignment!
Do tell what that involved? Since typing these comments, I think I"ve decided that Oliver Twist should be our next read-aloud book. But I have to finish Little Women (which we've barely begun).
Make sure Pilot Son wears an old shirt if they still cut off a new Pilot 's shirt tail. This is an old tradition -- so the new pilot can fly by the seat of their pants!😆
He received a special shirt from the EAA to do just that. (He received the EAA's Ray Aviation Scholarship.)
I too prefer brisk, invigorating, chilly air to stifling, stale, hot, bug-laden air. However, I am very thankful to be able to take a long walk in Florida soon, unencumbered by ice and snow.
I am thankful for:
Lighting a cheery candle first thing upon rising on a dark chilly morning - thank you A. Marie and Going Country.
Spending time with kids and grandkids and Mr. Book Club.
Enough firewood to last the winter.
The many opportunities to connect with friends - blog posts and other social media, texting, phone calls, video calls, emails, meet ups...
Good books. I finished Cry, the Beloved Country a few days ago and it is stuck in my mind and heart.
This thankful practice every Thursday. Thank you Kristen! Enjoy your recharge day.
So we can claim to be Candle Influencers? Excellent. 🙂 More light in the darkness is always a good thing.
Agreed, kristin. I'm cursing the darkness plenty these days, but I find that lighting candles gives me a spiritual lift every morning.
Ahh, Cry The Beloved Country, thanks for calling it to mind. I read it as a young person and it pierced me. I think back now that it was an awakening of sorts for me at an age when I was still ignorant to societal injustice to put it broadly
…and also so well written!
I’m thankful my husband loves my cooking ( I’m not a gourmet) and never complains about us having leftovers.
I’m grateful that most mornings he makes us each a really healthy smoothie to start the day after water and coffee.
I’m thankful the streets in our neighborhood are FINALLY clear. I think it must’ve taken the local school bus getting stuck to draw attention to our icy, snow-packed streets.
I’m thankful for good friends and neighbors.
And ,as always, I’m thankful for the joy our little pup,Wally, brings us. He’s a labradoodle. We love him!
I am just about to go journal this vey topic..so I will include the things here.
*Thankful for dental insurance, a nice dental office that kindly rescheduled my appt. due to the ice storm, and that I have all of my teeth! Will be cheerfully gettibg my teeth cleaned today. Both of my parents had dental issues, and thankfully I do not.
*Thankful that I am feeling brave and courageous at getting out in the world, by myself, sometimes at night, and going and doing. I have done a lot of work to feel this confident and mildly extroverted. And I am thankful that I have discretionary income right now to add these experiences into my life.
*Thankful that we are having mild and sunny winter days - I will soak up as much of this beautiful sunshine as I can today and take a lovely walk at my neighborhood park.
Happy Thursday!
Have good rest Kristen!
This week I am thankful that
- the ice roads have cleared away in my region. I was desoriented being woken up by a phone weather alert warning people to not go outside if at all avoidable. And it was highly unususal hearing about court sessions rescheduled and libraries, schools and town halls being closed, and nursing staff staying on longer shifts as their colleagues could not come to the hospitals. And an ambulance slipping and being towed away by a fire engine. It was short but not sweet. Although later in the day there were children ice skating on the iced roads. They made the most of the situation!
-eldest, who had no choice but to drive home after his shift in lowest gear, and glided against a wall, only had a damaged car. So relieved to see him home!
- a workarund for my as yet unresolved IT problem. Deadlines are deadlines.
- a stash of library books (fiction and non fiction) and fully operational heating.
So glad your son is okay! How scary. Our car went into a skid on black ice and spun us off the road. We were ok, car was okay - Thank God, but it was terrifying. Your poor son going thru that alone. 😒 Hope the repair is reasonable.
It will be costly, buy he can still drive. He said it was a very surreal experience, moving slowly but unstoppably towards the wall. I am thankful he drove in first gear only.
The repair can wait until spring is firmly here, he can have his tires changed at the same time. Yay for winter tires!
Good morning, this is a first, I am early to comment!
Thankfuls:
- I finally got around to applying for my pension, this has been sitting on my to do list for *months*! I applied for my CPP (Canada Pension Plan) on-line, and it was .a.slog. It took me close to 3.5 hours to do, the first 2 hours just getting through the security part, OMGosh, a.slog. to get through. But DONE is done and feeling hugely relieved. Now I have to do the OAS portion (Old Age Security) for which I have actual paperwork; as I am not Canadian born I have to provide copies of my citizenship card and papers.
- My HB is a whiz at finding amazing stuff at the thrift store. He found a ceramic non-stick pan which is Seriously non-stick. The brand is "Carote" which I have never heard of before, but now I want to get a DEEP pan of this same brand so that I can retire my scratched up deep non-stick pan.
- Did a job I was not looking forward to doing: I contacted the owner of a temporary pop-up shop in the local mall (from December), she had sold me a facial moisturizer that is defective; the pump part does not work. She said she would send me a replacement, so I am hoping to receive it this week or next week. Fingers crossed.
- Present me is thankful that I put gas in the vehicle when it was *relatively balmy* at -7C and not windy, because it is no joke standing outside and filling the gas tank in a cold wind chill of -22C.
- Hugely thankful for the "windrow" plow that comes by after the big street plows have come by and blocked our driveways with snow and ice. We have had some serious snow this winter, so.much.snow. The "windrow plow" is this special plow that comes by and specifically removes the snow from the bottom of our driveways. This is a special service that my small city council voted on and for which I am MOST grateful!
- And lastly, thankful for some lovely sunny (but cold) days with no snow. Seeing the sun is very uplifting and mood enhancing!
Grateful we have a 4 wheel drive. Our driveway is 1/2 mile long and this snow and ice ain’t going anywhere any time soon. No considerable warmth until next week. This is going on 2 weeks. I’m stiff from being inside for so long and slightly depressed. Tired of having to wear so many clothes. I want to throw a dress and sandals on and go!
Some declutterring has been done and blessed someone with some craft things through our Buy Nothing group. Again just getting to the end of the driveway for pickup involved donning so many clothes.
One positive from being home bound is I’m saving money!
Spring is coming y’all! Hang on!
I also don't mind cold weather, but am a wee bit tired of below freezing temps on the regular. I could go for some, say, 20-30 degree temps right now.
I'm thankful:
That I am finally recovered from the Mystery Virus we picked up on our trip back from Florida. We all came down with it, and it has been pretty brutal (more on why it's a mystery later).
That DH and DS#1 were well enough to take care of me and the three other sick people for most of last week.
That I can now take over care of DS#2 and DS#4, while DH visits DS#3 in the hospital. Yes, hospital. DS#3 was fighting this virus (upper respiratory, fever that wouldn't quit) and developed a scary symptom that even alarmed him so that he was agreeable about heading to the ER. He's there right now, being monitored and with a gastroenterology consult. Originally we thought this was covid (which also messes with our digestive systems) but he tested negative for that and Flu A and B.
That DS#4 is really turning a corner--his fever finally broke after nearly two weeks--and he's doing a lot better.
For Columbo, which is one of our go-to comfort watches when we're sick. Peter Falk makes everything better.
For the mini-government shutdown, which means DH could go to the hospital on Tuesday without taking leave.
And...besides the basics--roof over our heads, plenty of food and running water...that's it. Everybody, wash your hands and mask up because I wouldn't wish this whatever-it-is on anybody.
My heart goes out to your family! I hope you all feel better very soon!
Yuck. That sounds beyond miserable. I really hope everyone is back to 100% very soon.
Karen, such misery. Here's to a return to good health for your entire family.
Whatever that crud is, it sounds awful. I'm glad that at least some of you are on the mend by now. And I trust that Commodore Fluffington has been doing his duty in cheering his sick family members.
He has been making the rounds sleeping with whoever he deems well enough to not be too restless for his taste but sick enough to need healing kitten vibes. While I was down for four to five days, nobody brushed him, he got no fresh catnip in his mousie, and basically everything was awful for him, but he was a brave soldier. Victorian orphans never suffered so bravely.
Hopefully all of you will be well enough soon so you can get back to your main occupations of spoiling him. 😉
Tell the Commodore that it could have been worse: He could have been with Oliver Twist and the other orphans in the workhouse, living on gruel that wasn't even laced with wine. (See discussion of gruel, above.)
i hope you all feel better sooner than soon.
My thoughts have been with you and your kitty too during this trying time. The whole house sick is truly above and beyond!
Now I don't want to go to Florida! I hope you are all better soon.
Our weather has been very cold. If it's going to be this cold for this long, I wish we could at least get a little snow.
This week I am thankful:
- that I will be picking up grandson this afternoon to spend a little time with him
- that I have plans with my BFF tonight. We're trying something new and going bowling at a place that has "happy hour" pricing on lanes so it should be an inexpensive outing
- that husband's new doctor ordered blood tests that showed his thyroid T3 level was extremely low and prescribed him medication for it. It frustrated me though since his thyroid levels are supposed to be monitored by his endocrinologist, but that doctor did not order a full thyroid panel. Hubby also been to Mayo and Vandy for extensive testing and bloodwork and it was not caught there either.
- that husband gets my breakfast and lunch ready for me while I get ready for work
- that we were able to clean and deodorize the rug I got from our Buy Nothing group. I wanted a rug for our covered porch and I'm thankful to have gotten a free one.
Kristen, the PT/OT buddies who you are working with appreciate you, too.
Speaking of which, I was very thankful for a wonderful nurse who helped me out with a patient who had trouble mobilizing. We have rehab techs to help for that sort of thing, but they were all busy, and the nurse kindly took time out of her schedule to be another set of hands for me. She also paged out to all the nurse techs on the floor for help, and they answered in spades. I love love love it when the whole team works together for the good of the patient.
I like winter better than summer, but the bitterly cold temps and endless snow (last I checked, we've had over 92 inches since November, but I'm sure the total is higher now) is wearing on me. I'm grateful that the temps are moderating into the 20s, which means the road salt can melt the icy stuff off the roads.
Thankful that my friend from work had a lovely retirement party this week. She's a fantastic clinician and is also a professional musician. She played a recital as her going-away present for the rehab staff. She deserved to be celebrated, and I think the party honored her contributions well. We keep up almost daily, but man, am I gonna miss working with her.
I had a phone call from a dear friend who I haven't talked to (we've emailed/texted/done the Christmas card thing) for probably 20 years. We picked up the conversation like no time had passed.
I'm vey grateful for my flexible work schedule.
In keeping with the knitting theme mentioned earlier in the comments, I'm thankful for a woman at church who helped me figure out a knitting problem. I knitted an afghan last winter and one of my cats snagged a strand with her claws. I wasn't sure how to fix it, but she was able to identify and fix the problem straightaway. I'd love to attend a knitting class which focuses on correcting problems. I can generally figure out any stitch I need to make without much trouble, but somehow my brain gets turned around when I need to make a repair.
I appreciate the PT/OT people so much because sometimes I know a patient should be getting mobilized, but I don't feel confident doing it on my own. Soo, I'm delighted when I get a message from PT saying, "Can we come see your patient?" I'm always like, "Ooooh, yes please!"
Grateful to have attended a mini-class reunion luncheon yesterday. We had to pay extra for a small private room which is understandable as the purpose of getting together was to have ample time to visit. The unexpected wrinkle was one guest brought homemade cookies to celebrate another participant’s birthday. As a result, the restaurant added $24 to her bill - for bringing in a non-restaurant provided dessert. That was an unwelcome surprise (and they didn’t even serve the dessert). Live and learn.
Grateful that a friend’s surgery on Monday went well, she is home and her only request is I help her stay accountable to walk briefly each day as part of her recovery.
I am having fun learning the game of Mah Jongg - keeps my brain functioning and is social.
Grateful that the end of our coldest weather is predicted in the next week or so.
It has been very cold for Florida and for an extended period.
Grateful that even though our exercise instructor didn’t show up earlier this week, several class members stepped up and “taught” their favorite exercises so the participants got something out of the class period.
Grateful for the oatmeal (aka gruel) that Imhad prepared earlier in the week and that I just had to microwave a serving this morning.
Grateful for a lifelong friend whose birthday is today. She has enriched my life (and that of others) for many years.
Oh my goodness, I can't believe they charged you for that!!
Chiquita, on the other hand, looks quite well rested. I imagine she naps more when you're not home. 🙂
Thankfuls:
--That I'm going to pick up our beef at the butcher today. Yay, good beef! And that we have the money to buy a whole cow at once.
--That we figured out the smaller chest freezer wasn't actually freezing before losing anything in it. Apparently, there are two cords and plugs for that freezer. One is for the compressor and one is just for the light in the lid. When I plugged it in, I only plugged in the cord for the light. We discovered this when my son reported soupy ice cream. But that was on the top and everything else in there was still frozen.
--That when one son had a rough situation with friends at school, he found a positive way to deal with his negative feelings. This particular boy does not have a history of good reactions to stress, so that was a relief.
--For my friend who gave my basketball player a ride from the post office where the bus stopped to our house on her way home with her kids. They didn't get home until after 11 p.m., so I was very happy to be able to go to bed and just get up when he walked in the door to blearily ask him how the game went, and then go back to bed. 🙂
--For my Honda Pilot, still. I have to drive around 300 miles today what with one thing and another, and that is much more comfortable in my climate-controlled Honda with a functioning CD player than in our big old van.
--For an online friend (and one of your readers, too) who very generously sent me her daughters' First Communion dresses for my daughter to choose one. She also included some decorative scarves and bracelets that my daughter has delighted in playing with, and some chocolate for the rest of the family. So generous.
Chiquita: never sleep-deprived. 😉
What a sweet gift from a fellow reader!
I'm so happy you have a great work team to lean on!
This week (and next) are the weeks I plan for a PICU stay for my kid because it seems to be the hardest time of year. And every time we end up in the hospital it seems like it’s full and crazy across the board. Thanks for caring for your patients well…especially during these crazy months.
Thankfuls:
1. Sun!!!! It was thinking about maybe being dawn before I needed to leave the house this morning. We are gaining Sun! Just 4 weeks ago I thought winter would last for all of eternity, and were already to the brightening phase of winter! Phew. We made it.
2. Not being in the PICU (where’s the wood??)—my kiddo has been sick and I’ve had to take nearly a week off to care for him but he is managing without the need for hospitalization.
3. A great team at work which eases my concern when I’m out. They do such a phenomenal job.
4. My youngest starting to grow up. It’s kinda sad because he’s not as little anymore, and it’s exciting to watch him develop maturity and put empathy into action.
5. My dog. He has been a faithful companion for over 13 years and as we enter his last years I’ve been soaking up as much time with him as possible.
WHEWWWWW to no PICU! I hope your streak continues!
I also have a better winter attitude than summer attitude, though this particular winter is certainly testing that!
I am thankful that the weather has gone from dangerously frigid to normal winter, and I hope it stays that way.
I am thankful for being retired! Because when I feel kinda off, like today, I can just snuggle down and tell the world to go away.
I am thankful that my recent visit to the DMV was so quick and painless. I had been dreading it. We have a branch dedicated to seniors in the senior center, and it is awesome!
On that note, I am thankful to have a license, after having to manage without one for about a year. That was due to a minor accident caused by a medical emergency. It was a struggle to get reinstated, and now I never take my wheels for granted.
I am thankful, as always, for food in my kitchen, clothes in my closet, heat in my radiators, a roof over my head, and good health!
I’m thankful for being able to get plant cuttings from work. One of my coworkers propagates from what we had at retirement home. I brought home a snake plant start and it has already rooted thanks to her hard work so I can plant this weekend!
I’m also very thankful for working 10’s so I have a 3 day weekend!
This week I am particularly thankful for daily Kegel exercises, allowing my laughing and sneezing to be practically pee-free! 😉
I am thankful:
For this community, being a new subscriber.
For heat, clean water and sunshine today.
For my pension.
For library books. 📚
Today I saw on social media that a guy broke up with a girl because he was icked out that she used her library card. Ha. I guess that's a good way to root out men who don't read. 😉
1. For old friends who picked my mother up from the airport at 11 PM in bad weather. (I live five hours away.)
2. That our older furnace has made it through the very cold weather we’ve had despite struggling from time to time.
3. For an upper-level class that I especially look forward to teaching twice a week.
4. For melting snow.
5. That my husband and I are both in careers that are meaningful to us.
Thank you for the hard work you do! Nurses are so important.
Thankful for the good friends we've made in our neighborhood. One couple stopped by yesterday afternoon to visit, and we're having dinner with another couple on our street on Monday.
That my almost-15 year old dog is doing well. He was sick around Christmas and we were afraid it was the end, but he's on medication that has turned things around and he's doing great.
That I can still afford whatever I want at the grocery store. The way prices have increased that feels like a luxury, and I'm not taking it for granted.
For libraries and Project Gutenberg, which provide a wealth of free books to read.
After reading some of the comments (especially from @Karen A.), I'm grateful for continued good health this winter. Nary a sneeze--except, of course, when I mix a little too much cheap crushed red pepper into my bird seed to discourage mammals.
Also grateful that NDN1's CF and I were able to get to her bank on Tuesday, invoke our DPOAs (already on file there), and pay off the balance on the bank credit card NDN1 has only been making minimum payments on. Let's hope that NDN1's appointment with her PCP tomorrow--where CF and I will be sitting in as her health care proxies, and at which we're going to broach the topic of assisted living--goes even half as smoothly. Wish us all luck.
And grateful that I've managed to shake off the winter blahs enough to start working on my upcoming "Jane Austen and Thrift" presentation for my local JASNA region in April. I'm still in the very early stages of planning this: I think I'm going for a brief informal lecture followed by a group discussion (easier than PowerPoint!), but I haven't decided how much emphasis I'll give to the novels vs. JA's own life (which was thrifty from necessity). Still, this is gonna be fun, no matter how I do it.
Finally, thankful for all of you who suggested various ways of using up my cornbread crumbles. I'm working on several of these.
Good luck with your presentation. I know you will knock it out of the park.
I really admire the way you step up for your NDN1, A. Marie. I hope you feel satisfaction and pride in knowing that you are truly helping someone.
I was wondering how you were faring with NDN1 - good luck on the next meeting!
I am thankful YOU had the wherewithal to post an encouraging blog post. 🙂
That folks who read will embrace the encouragement you offer --'cuz it's a cold crazy world out there.
I am thankful for heat, shelter, good medical care, Kleenex, our daily bread, and the hope God is more real than an of our problems.
I agree that Kristen's words have a very wide reach, which is why I appreciated her comments in the post she called "a word." I don’t think you know, Kristen, how influential your wise thoughts are.
I am thankful that my husband doesn't mind driving me to and from work every day. The parking situation here isn't optimal, especially in snowy weather.
I am thankful that my coworker (who has a full time day job with the local school district) can work some of my days on her time off during Spring Break. It is nice to be off and not worry that I am leaving my nurses hanging since I am the only regular day shift secretary.
thankful for you. that my girl is finally home. that she cooperates with us. that my neurologist helped me get an appr with a urologist. the first appt i could get on my own was not until august. glad you have some rest time.
YAY!! So glad she's home now.
thank you so much.
Hurray for your Zozo, and for you!
thank you
She is home! So happy for you all-
Dear Anita, I’m truly glad to hear this news about Zozo!
Gorgeous sunrise, neighbor came for sunrise yoga followed by coffee and a breakfast cookie. She is a dear friend, fellow nurse and the mom of the 5 kiddoes that I help with care from time to time.
Mild day taking advantage to work in the garden and plant my new bare root trees.
Picked up a large load (50 gallons) of coffee grounds from a local coffee shop. I work them in to the blueberry patch, hydrangeas, rhododendrons and azaleas.
Washing the bed linens this morning to hang on the line taking advantage of the brisk breeze.
We have had unusually cold weather for the Treasure Coast of Florida, so I am thankful for my comfy house that stays warm. We did finally have to turn the heat on some. I’m sorry for those of you dealing with frigid temperatures. I’m grateful for my husband, who still makes me laugh and is great company. We’ve also been blessed with wonderful next door neighbors who have become family. When each of us makes a big batch of something, we share it with one another.
This week I am thankful . . .
-To be alive. I am still basking in the glow of living through a medical emergency that could have taken my life. But here I am, just a week after checking out of the ICU, back to teaching and feeling good. Thanks be to God for preserving me.
-For my ability to problem-solve. My husband and I own a commercial space that we rent out. It's an old building that I want to preserve, but we are also dealing with layers of poorly done, slapped-together repairs and parts of the building that have been worn out for years. Fixing things isn't just about calling in an expert, and we can't afford to just throw money at every issue. Instead, it is about using experts, but also relying on our own ability to think through problems and find solutions that match the need and our budget. I am getting a little tired of having problems to solve, but I also enjoy the process of problem-solving. My hope is that putting in the work now means that we will get ahead of problems in the future.
-That I am being considered for a bunch of academic jobs. I have been in limited contracted positions in academia for five years now. I am ready for a job that I can stay in for years and really build something. After a years-long dry spell in the academic job market, something seems to have finally shook loose. Fingers crossed it all results in a great job!
-For my electric toothbrush. My husband switched years ago and loves his, but I have been holding out. I don't know why. My dentist says my teeth are healthy, and I don't like to overcomplicate things? But when I ordered electric toothbrushes for the kids I tried it for a couple of days. Man, my teeth have never been cleaner. What a great feeling. I'm never going back!
I'm so glad you are here too!
I really prefer an electric toothbrush, too. Fingers crossed for you with the job prospect!
Today I am grateful for:
Being retired, 43 years of work went by so quickly,
Our library system, so many books,magazines, movies to enjoy for free.
A great sale on eggs, $4.77 CDN for an 18 pack.
For my basement where I have my drying racks set up for the winter.
That my Mom's nursing home is within walking distance from my house. It makes it so much easier to visit .
Chiquita is the snuggliest kittie ever and a sweet buddy to help enjoy your rest day.
I’m thankful at this time for a good resolution to a problem that arose in the family during the holidays. Glad that they and the issue are behind us in a helpful way.
Thankful that we didn’t lose power except for a few minutes overnight. Not thankful that the snow, now solid ice, is still with us except for the dug out parts (driveway and streets). It has been decades that ice such as this has been in our area. Not looking if more is on the way though a single-digit string of days is beginning on Saturday.
I also prefer cold weather to hot but this is ridiculous.
If you don't like muggy, buggy summer days, then do not ever go to Houston! They have them at least 9 months a year. One of my newspaper colleagues moved to Houston and said it's so humid there, he has to take a shower to dry off. LOL!
1. The sun is shining and it will be in the upper 60s today, and possibly the 70s by this weekend. So glad the ice and frigid weather is gone. Also glad the new gas space heater works.
2. Since I rearranged the bedroom, I am sleeping much more comfortably.
3. I was able to declutter about one huge recycling trash can worth of old papers.
4. I got to see my older friend (age 90) at her assisted living place. I took her a large print romance novel for Valentine's Day, and by chance, arrived when they were having a musical program. Got to sit in on it free, and we had a good visit.
5. For my little piddly job. It pays so low, it's almost like I'm volunteering. But it gives me a place to go and be around friendly people.
Bonus: this week, I solved the Wordle puzzle in only 2 guesses and earned a badge for my win. (Can you tell I'm insufferably proud of this?)
Ohhhh yeah Houston is for sure on my never list!!
You also get hurricanes and flooding in Houston. But most heat and humidity.
I can't imagine working 3 12-hour shifts in a row and feeling anything but totally exhausted. The good news is that you made it through challenging situations, that's something to be proud of.
As a retired OT, I'm glad you are getting some interaction with PT and OT. Together you can work at making your patients whole again. Even if it's a new kind of "whole".
The snow is beautiful, but beauty ends with having to dig a car out, shovel a drive or walk. I moved from Ohio when I was 5, and I have two major memories of snow: One was my dad slipping on the ice on our porch steps and hurting his back. The other was walking to kindergarten, taking one step, and sinking in the snow up to my armpits. I have no idea how I got out of that (back in those days, kids were sent to walk to school without adults!). So glad I live in Northern California now!!!! (except for those thankfully rare days when we have heat waves with 115 F temps and no AC).
Hats off to all of the OTs in the world! They're the Macgyvers of the hospital!
We special educators who work(ed) with students with significant disabilities love our OT/PT/SLP and paraprofessional teammates!
This week I am thankful for…
• A fresh coating of snow this week. It covered up all the dirty brown snow and everything looks pretty again.
• Sunshine.
• A teenage boy who seeks out hugs from his mom.
• Whatever it is that is giving me the energy to get things done. I don’t know if it’s the streak of sunny days, the new planner/journal, or something else but whatever it is I am happy it is working.
• A well stocked freezer and pantry AND knowing how to use what we have. It has really helped keep our grocery costs down.
• A husband that knows how to cook – as the main cook in the house it is such a treat to be cooked for.
• So much to look forward to.
It must be a combo of the phase of the moon and the extra cold weather. Our hospital has been crazy too.
And we are full. No empty beds. We have poor sick people on stretchers in the hall🥺
1. I’m thankful that the roofer who came to clear the ice jam at my house charged me $200.00 instead of the phone quote which was “as much as $1,500.00!! I had told him on the phone that that price was not doable and he said he would come and take a look first. Once he saw he didn’t have to crawl up onto the roof and could access things on just a ladder, the price came down drastically.
2. That there were no injuries at the hospital fire that happened near my hometown. My Mother had surgery in that hospital a few months ago. I can’t even imagine having to evacuate the patients in this weather. Also no firefighters were injured.
3. For my core group of coworkers, who are hard working, kind and fun to be around.
4. For all those who have to brave this cold to keep the rest of us safe and functioning. The roofer who came today, firefighters, garbage collectors, people plowing and salting the roads etc.
5. For having a great family and group of friends who check in with each other on a regular basis and are there when needed.
As a retired CNA,I can certainly empathize with you enjoying a day of rest.
Kind of like mentioning how quiet the unit is...YIKES!!! Now you're answering all the call lights,lol
Stay warm.
My in-laws came to visit us today, which was a fun way to get out of the house. They treated us to lunch, brought a cinnamon roll, and got to enjoy baby snuggles. I'm grateful for the time together!
Like you, I am a nurse working in a hospital. I live in Ohio and the winter has been a very cold, white one-which I love! I,too, don't love the hot, humid days of summer, so I'm not minding all the snow. I say, "if it's going to be cold, it might as well be white!" That being said, I am thankful for my 4 wheel drive Bronco that gets me to my job that I love in the dark hours of the morning and evening (mother/baby nurse here). I even have picked up coworkers who didn't have 4 wheel drive so they could get to work- ha! I have great coworkers who feel like family. 12 hour shifts (and hour long drive to and from) are not always great, but they are much better with good people!
And, I'm thankful for days off to recover as well 😉
-- I'm thankful I don't work any more. I've just enjoyed staying home and watching our winter weather from the comfort of my couch. It was bitterly cold here in Arkansas, but we were cozy and warm and had plenty of food. We still have some snow on the ground and it starting falling 2 weeks ago today. This is highly unusual!
I'm thankful for all the different types of ways we can get info now ,-- the internet, TV, newspapers, etc. I learn some new nearly everyday from somewhere.
So thankful for my senior center. I go there to exercise, but have made several friends and made new connections, which is hard when you get older.
- That a book I wanted to read was easily available for free online.
- For one vehicle that can get in and out (my car will not get down our driveway still for a while in the snow).
- For a good week overall at work.
- For a restful weekend that let me be productive too.
- For a successful grocery shopping trip.