Thankful Thursday | It doesn't feel like August out!
This week, I am thankful:
for a nice long string of cooler weather
It has been so, so lovely here for the last week or so! I almost feel like I am in Wisconsin again.
Annnnnnnd every day in the 15-day forecast promises highs only in the 80s.
This is seriously wonderful August weather for us, and I am thrilled.
that the carport snake has not been back to visit
I haven't seen him for about a week, and at this point, I am no longer taking a precautionary peek before I open the carport door. 😉
I think maybe he's moved on.
for all the kind comments from you guys this week
So many of you chimed in here and on Instagram to offer encouragement and a virtual hug to me when I shared about my struggles; I could not respond to all of the comments, but I did read every single one. Thank you!
I almost decided not to publicly share about it being my anniversary, but I'm glad I chose to. The support was lovely, plus so many of you said that you found it encouraging to read since it helps to hear you are not alone in having difficulties.
for so much relational richness in my life
Every time I have hit rough spots in my life, I have been reminded how blessed I am to have a lot of people who care about me.
I think that's even better than having unlimited monetary riches.
that my toe is feeling better
I stubbed it shortly after moving here.
How? I walked into the living room at dusk, without the light on, and I totally forgot that I'd put the ottoman where I was trying to walk. Whoops.
Over time, the entire nail turned black (Just in time for sandal season. Yay me!)
And then when I was in Wisconsin, I stubbed it again and the whole nail came off, which was rather painful.
But it's healing up nicely, there's a new nail growing in, and even though my toe looks ugly, it is feeling much better than it was after the nail first came off.
By next summer my toe should look nice again. 😉
That is, unless I stub it again.
for a kind neighbor who let me borrow some of her lawn equipment
This neighbor has quite a collection of lawn gear, most of which she's rehabbed and fixed up (so she is a woman after my own heart!)
I baked her some cinnamon bread to say thank you, and she was delighted. However, I still think I got the better end of the deal here. 🙂
I love that I know how to make yeast bread because it makes such a good thank you gift for people; it's not as common as homemade cookies, cakes, or brownies, and that makes it slightly more special.
that Zoe and I have almost completed her driving hours
I think we have maybe one more hour to do before her test at the end of this month, so, yay us!
I am kind of proud of us for still getting this done in the midst of a hard time. 🙂
And I am thankful that Zoe wants to get her license, especially because I know of a lot of Gen Z-ers who are not particularly motivated to learn how to drive.
I don't mind driving my kids around when it's necessary, but it is not something I want to be doing forever! I want Zoe to have her independence and be able to take herself places that she needs and wants to go, and I'm thankful she feels the same.
I am thankful that the heat has subsided and that we have had some very welcome rain.
I am also thankful for the good mood our eldest is in. He has had several periods of depression and he is in a more energetic and hopeful streak now than he was a few years back. Sometimes you have to look back over several years to see the upward trend. I accidentally typed: look back through the tears. Which is also true.
I too am thankful for the cooler weather this past week. I have so much more energy when it is not so hot and I've even had the windows open at times.
I am thankful that both my nieces that had babies last month are doing well, as are their babies.
I am thankful that my hair stylist listened to me and gave me a shorter haircut yesterday. She'd only cut it a few times before and I could see she was reluctant but she did a great job and I am happy. I will text her today and let her know.
I am thankful for summer fruit. It has been good this year. I am also looking forward to fall produce: apples, winter squashes, pears, etc.
I am thankful for this weekly exercise, it makes me think throughout the week.
Yes! The heat and humidity do make me feel rather tired.
@K D, We have been enjoying the fruit SO MUCH this summer too. Watermelons, peaches, nectarines, mangoes, berries - so delicious. It's brought me so much simple joy this year.
I didn't get to comment yesterday, but wanted to add my warm thoughts and encouragement to the many that were already shared. Kristen, this blog is such a bright spot on the internet - you are appreciated by so many!! Even though you can't see all your readers in person, I'm thankful that you can feel the virtual crowds who support you and cheer you on as you faithfully encourage each one of us!
Also thankful for... 6 hours of safe travel on the roads yesterday.
Thankful that we have the means to feed our family. Inflation + multiple teenage boys = $$$!
Thankful for our libraries, always and forever.
Thankful for the ability to continue playing team sports at this season of my life. Such a fun and social option for working out! (Just hope this aging body doesn't quit on me any time soon, lol).
Hope you all have a lovely week/end!
Aww, you are always so kind when you comment. Thank you.
And good on you for playing team sports as a mom! What do you play?
@PD,
I heartily second being thankful for "libraries, always and forever." I always have at least 4-5 books checked out and 2-3 on hold. The amount of money those represent would be crushing. A how-to book is always among them as I do better with a book to refer to than online.
Also DVDs, such as the recently mentioned Borgen. Borrowed from the library so no need for the special channel. Movies, TV programs, music—our library system has it all. For free.
@PD, I'm just going to echo yours!
Definitely, the thankfulness for means to feed teenage boys--I have two and one that is 11, and a just-graduated 20something, and they ALL EAT. Thankful for the means to feed them, indeed!
And libraries, yes! Our library has a Little Free Pantry outside, and I use my library visits to help stock it up. I love that they have it there, and the community is so supportive.
Thankful also for Kristen's blog--it's such a bright spot of positivity and reality (both) on the Internet, a rare thing these days.
@Erika JS, yes! We heavily (!!) use our library. The librarians assure me that it's wonderful for their branch circulation stats/funding, so keep it up 🙂
@Karen, re feeding growing boys... We only have three sons, but grocery trips sometimes make me think that we must have a pet elephant! And yes, they ALL EAT. EVERY WEEK. 🙂
Thankful that they are healthy and growing though.
@Kristen, volleyball!
@Karen,
Although my children are no longer teenagers, I remember how much they ate. I often think about this when I go to the grocery store. I worry about the impact that rising food prices has had on families. There appears to be an increase in the number of people who are food insecure. At my local food pantry where I volunteer, we are seeing more working families who need their grocery shopping trips supplemented with our provisions.
@PD,
I second road trip safety and teenage boys eating. I was just told today that I’m now the sixth tallest. The question is will the next boy pass me before the oldest is out of the house.
Always thankful for those who share their garden produce for items I do not grow.
For my co-worker who always gives me the puzzles she is done with. Pre-covid we had one on a table in her office that we could take a break and work on it.
For cheap entertainment, our community has Back to the Bricks events and those car owners are always so friendly and talkative.
That I was able to get a large portion of my very long list of things I needed to address got done in the 7 days I took off from work.
Thankful we have the money to get several large purchases and repairs done.
This week's thankfuls . . .
--For the end of my first work "week" at school. I only work two days, but particularly the first day was a doozy. First day of school is always nuts, but this one had a lot of unexpected complications that made it particularly stressful.
--For a school staff that pulls together when things are challenging. At a school as small as ours, flexibility is key and there really isn't any "that's not my job" that can happen.
--For leftovers. Because that was definitely the only way everyone was fed this week.
--For garden produce coming in much larger quantities.
--And for co-workers who are actually happy to receive some of the MANY calabacitas I have right now. They're like zucchini, and are thus the most prolific of producers. I can only freeze so much, and it makes me happy to gift produce to other people. Particularly here, where it's not so easy to get.
I'm thankful for
My Mechanic and my guardian angel. Last Friday on my way to work the bells and whistles went on in my car with an idiot light that indicated I was low on water. I was near a gas station, got my hood open, and yes, I was. I went in, bought a gallon of water, filled it and went to work. Before leaving work, I checked and needed to add water. I made it home. My mechanic found I had a cracked connection where I was losing water. It cost $$$ but he is honest. My car is almost 10 yrs. old.
My daughter has had her car for 20 yrs. now.
My library system for everything I have been able to borrow and do through it.
My Monday morning walking group. I recently heard of organized isolation, which is what occurred during the pandemic. This group started the first summer of the pandemic. Most of us were acquaintances, who have since become friends. We are in our late 60s and up. This has been an important bonus for us all.
I am so grateful for this post today. I got some rather unpleasant news this week and have been very self-absorbed the last couple of days. Time to put things in perspective!
Thanks!
@Kathleen Mayin, Oh, that's hard when you get unpleasant news. Give yourself grace! Hugs!!!
Thankful my ear hurts less. After a week and a half of it throbbing, I finally went to the doctor.
Thankful for an easy weekend with my son flying to visit friends.
Thankful for the people who put up with me when I'm a jerk, which is often.
Thankful to talk to a new lawyer yesterday working on my eviction case who I immediately clicked with. We decided we're going to be friends. She is champing at the bit to put the guy in handcuffs, too, which makes me happy.
Thankful for my job, which pays well and offers great benefits and utilizes my skills well, too.
@Rose, Ha! We're all jerks sometimes! It's the people who don't think they are that are the most annoying. 😉
@Bobi, Mine are usually written out for all to "enjoy."
I did see another whale breach and I did take it as a sign to RAMP IT DOWN, ME.
@Rose,
We all love you, Rose!
@Becca, DITTO. /puts curmudgeon cloak back on
@Rose,
So excited for you that this new lawyer is ready to throw the book at that deadbeat! =AND= you have a new friend! Envious of the whale breach....I have several Long Island wildlife photographer friends who have seen and photographed whales breaching. Living in the Midwest has its drawbacks, Lol.
@Liz B., Ha! In fact, I'm sitting down with her, other lawyers and the local police department next week to go over things I've unearthed on the Internet. Apparently....I'm the only one who can do this? IDK. Including the private investigator hired? It's going to be a big story. I need to ask my friend the NYTimes reporter if he's not too high and mighty after winning the Pulitzer Prize (ha) to write it up.
(He cracks me up. He is always annoyed and concerned that I'm underemployed and thinks I should be a NYT reporter. Er....don't wanna go back to the city. Or work that much. Etc. Other than that, swell! Sigh. So many opportunities I've had to give up because of bad health.)
@Rose, don't think you're a jerk
Glad you have guardian whale
@Rose, I love that you said “champing at the bit”! So many misunderstandings!
Many blessing upon you and your girls! Reading your blog, and knowing I am not alone in my life-aculties (nope, not a typo. Life + difficulties = life=aculties) makes me feel like I have a walking buddy on a not-so-easy trail. So this week I am thankful -
For this blog and the voice of sanity, compassion, respect, understanding, honesty, et al. that is the Frugalite community.
For any and all opportunities to spend time with my grand-daughter. She is my heart and such a joy!
For the ability to keep up with her (mostly!) in my (not quite as) young years.
For the means to be able to get new gutters and downspouts. A necessary, but not at all fun, thing to purchase.
For the wonderful exterminator that rid my exterior of yellow-jackets. Who knew they were so aggressive!
BONUS: For a mind that is still able and willing to learn knew things! Did you know if that if a weather forecast is for a 30% chance of rain, it does not mean there is a 30% chance of it raining? That it means there is a 100% chance that 30% of the viewing (or listening) area will get rain. Mind blown! How am I just learning this!?
@sfeather, Woah, I had no idea about the weather forecast thing. I've always thought we had a 30% chance of getting rain, but now it makes sense how on days like that sometimes we get no rain, and other places in the surrounding area get doused!
@sfeather,
Okay, I just learned something new today.....:-)
@Karen, I'm happy to see I'm not the only one! I think this should be part of a Basic Life Skills class and taught in all schools. Along with budgeting, balancing a checkbook, making change (it's appalling the number of young that cannot perform this task), and many other basic skills.
Thankful for a special family vacation that really got us out of our rut—now we’re rested and ready for a hectic season of work ahead.
Thankful for friends that reach out and share their life with me, and that includes garden harvests and jigsaw puzzle as well as supportive company.
Thankful that my adult daughter will be moving out on her own. She lives with anxiety and is making choices despite some crippling worries.
Thankful for the break from teaching and thankful that I still want to teach—I’m ignoring the public drama—real and ginned up—about my wonderful profession.
As always, I’m grateful for coffee!
Karen
@Karen, I'm also thankful for you (and other teachers) wanting to teach because that's a gift I do not have. And coffee. 🙂
This week's thankfuls .....
- For unseasonably cool weather, forecast for next 10 days are all in the 80's
- That husband felt up to going to a walk last night. With all his health issues, he often takes a nap in the afternoon while I exercise
- For my well paying job that provides us great health insurance
- That we our dog didn't get hurt or lost when she escaped from the garage over the weekend. Was stressful though that our neighbor yelled at her and my husband for her being in their yard
- That my 12 year old car is still running and in good shape
@Beverly, Thank you for reminding me to be thankful for the neighbors on both sides who not only tolerate our pound hound but whose dogs freely mingle with our own, jumping the fences to each other's yards. (In the winter the snow is usually high enough that they can walk on it and thus have ramps into each other's play areas, so no jumping of a 5 foot fence needed. One of the chubby dogs next door only comes over in the winter, when the ramp forms.) I forget that not all neighbors are as easy going.
Have you ever shared your recipe for cinnamon bread? I'd love to see it!
Thankful
For my adult children safely returning home with no cancelled flights or luggage issues.
For gorgeous weather in metro Detroit this past week. Much porch sittin with the hubby.
For my hubby not complaining when I have been cooking kits SND lots of beans instead of what he is used to. This week was lentil tacos!
1) Like many others, I’m also thankful we had a couple fall-ish days over the weekend. It’s always nice to not feel like you are being roasted by the sun!
2) I’m very thankful my kids are excited to go back to school. I always dreaded going myself, so I feel extra lucky that my kids enjoy school.
3) I’m so thankful for so many great teachers in the world! Even though I loved teaching my kids preschool level skills, doing crafts, reading together, etc., I discovered early in the pandemic that teaching more advanced curriculum was not my strong point!
4) My husband has a coworker that had Covid way back in March 2020 and they are still having scary issues that randomly pop-up. This makes me extra thankful that my family’s recent Covid experience was mild in comparison. The adults in my household are not yet 100%, but I am confident we’ll get there.
I am thankful to have a houseful of good food after a long afternoon of farm share picking up and grocery shopping with kids in tow yesterday.
I am thankful for all the manager's specials we found at Giant as it means more meat in our diet at affordable prices.
I am thankful that the hail we had yesterday didn't cause any damage and that we were mostly able to dodge the bulk of the rain storms while shopping.
I am thankful that grocery stores have bathrooms and that all three (!) times we had to use them, they had working toilets and available soap, water and hand dryers.
I am thankful that with all the scuffling my children did yesterday, the only thing broken was a pair of glasses frames that I was able to glue.
I am thankful to have enough money to pay for groceries and also new pairs of glasses.
I am thankful to be going back to work on Monday after summer break. When back to work, I will be able to save up money again, get a break from my own children (ironically by teaching other people's children) AND get to grocery shop by myself again! So looking forward to it!
Happy Thursday everyone!
I lost a nail to trauma and it grew back completely normally, so here's hoping yours will, too. By the way, stubbing a toe is super painful, isn't it?
1. I'm thankful that my youngest visited with me this past weekend just to rock on the screened porch under the fans and chat. I'm also thankful that now my oldest has suggested she visit me and do the same.
2. I'm thankful that the office's (cashless) deposit I somehow dropped in our parking lot last night was immediately picked up and brought back inside by an employee of the spa downstairs. I was going nuts trying to figure where I had left it when I reached the bank. I returned to work and they were holding it for me.
3. I'm thankful that my local paper showed a picture of the new school year's varsity cheer squad, and the shark attack survivor, who is a cheerleader, was right there in the middle of it, crutches and all. The entire squad was decked out in special shirts and bracelets for her, and this Friday night's football game is dedicated to her cause.
4. I'm thankful that the cut on my thumb is very close to completely healed. I think it's going to scar, but scars don't often bother me, and this one certainly won't.
5. I'm thankful that I saw a scarlet dogwood leaf on the ground yesterday. Although we are still hot and humid, autumn is on its way! My favorite season!
I’m so thankful for all the details that came together so beautifully this past weekend for my son’s wedding. He and his wife are so happy! That makes my husband and me happy, too!
I’m thankful for the lovely weather we’re experiencing.
I’m thankful for how good the cherries are this month. They add such great flavor to our morning smoothies and to our homemade cherry bread.
I’m thankful for strong relationships with friends, family and neighbors.
I’m thankful for frequent recent sightings of a resident hawk. Nature drama is so exciting.
I’m thankful for a few car repairs that weren’t as expensive as we anticipated.
As well, I’m thankful for a reliable mechanic.
@Martha, I’m so glad that the wedding went well!!! Congratulations and may they live happily ever after.
Having good neighbors is true blessing.
On this hot summer morning, I am feeling grateful thatI was able to take care of my 6-week old grandson twice this week. He is absolutely adorable. I enjoy my time with him so much. It also helps my son and DIL. I remember how difficult it was to adjust to the demands of parenthood. A little time for self-care can elevate the spirit and alleviate the stress of being sleep deprived.
I have a complex thyroid/metabolic issue which must be check twice a year. The blood work is extensive and I dread having it done. I had my appointment this morning and I am thankful that I had a really good phlebotomist. My arm doesn’t hurt at all! Best of all, I don’t have to think about until 2023.
I am happy that Rescue Pup’s leash aggression has become less severe. This sweet dog plays well with others and follows every voice command off the lead. However when on the leash, she has been aggressive towards other dogs and highly anxious. Because we live where leashes are necessary and required, this has been problematic . After a year of working with her, we are finally making significant progress and we can now walk by other dogs and greet them.
Wishing everyone love, peace and good health…
@Bee, It is amazing how much difference there is between the skills and techniques of phlebotomists! I'm glad you got a good one.
@Bee,
When my son was suffering with long COVID, he had to have so much blood drawn. I taught him to request his "favorite phlebotomist" and it really made a difference, plus I think it gave the phlebotomist a chuckle in a day where otherwise he probably endures a lot of other emotions from the people he has to stick.
@Bee, You know, if they have trouble finding veins on you, it is possible to request that they use a vein finder. I used to get stuck five or six times before something would yield enough blood and then one day the nurse looked at my records and said there was no need to torture me and brought out what she called a vein doppler that uses infrared to locate your veins. She said there are several machines tht can do this. It made a huge difference in my dreading having blood drawn.
@Lindsey,
There's also a smaller needle that they can use. My mom always requests it because otherwise she ends up with massive hideous bruises.
@Lindsey, (Editing out my Mom's horrible experiences here), Thank you for that note. I will share that with another family member.
@Heidi Louise, Lindsey,Becca
What helpful info!!! I have to have multiple vials drawn. 8 today. Most phlebotomist don’t know how to switch the tubes out without hurting me. Today, I didn’t even know we were done. I now have my favorite phlebotomist.
@Lindsey, How long have those vein finders been around?? Brilliant idea! When I was pregnant with my kids, every pregnancy I developed ITP, and had to get my blood drawn every month, then twice a month, then once a week as I neared delivery, to keep an eye on my platelets. I have deep, apparently small veins and I would have loved to have known about vein finders! (My youngest was born in 2011, fwiw.)
@Karen, I first experienced the doppler in 2014, so at least that long.
1 - we got our car fixed, the water pump gave up after 21 years and it was $400 which is a lot to us, but gives us back our way to make extra money
2 - for children who can make me happy just by texting with me. Both my boys are quiet by nature, but both can talk a lot on text and I love it.
3 - our youngest starts his senior year at college next week and has worked hard all summer knowing we couldn't help him with money. He doesn't drive (Kristen, I'm not pushing it either), but has no problem taking a bus to get there and back as it's only 100 miles. His talents are mostly online, so he will have no issues finding something to do during the year.
4 - this weather!! We spend time in our car waiting for delivery hits, so rolling the windows down and sitting under a shade tree is fun.
5 - figuring out how to set up my personal hot spot so I can do more than read while we are sitting in the car. I did it all by myself too!!
I am thankful for so much this week!
- for my beautiful sisters who are coming together to paint my living room/dining room for me this weekend (I had started painting over a year ago when I became sick)
- for my eldest daughter being home this month before she moves to Toronto (a 2.5 hr drive when the traffic cooperates)
- for the bounty of cheap and tasty fruits and vegetables in my area (I did plant a small garden this year but only tomatoes, squash, zucchini and beans - the deer made off with all the lettuce)
- for my medical team, for chemo and immunotherapy and all the blessings given by good medical care
- for the friends that include my youngest daughter in their plans and keep her engaged and happy
I honestly could go on and on, I am feeling very grateful!
Ouch, losing a toenail is never fun (well, having lost two (on the same big toe) I am always kinda fascinated by the process. Make sure you keep it very dry as it grows in, otherwise you could get fungus under the nail! I lost my big toenail the first time as a kid, and nobody told my parents this. Ugh. The bright side is you have one less nail to trim for a while! 😀
I'm thankful for your vulnerability here. It makes me feel less alone in my own story, and your reminders of choosing joy and thanks in the midst of the hard encourages me to do the same.
Other thanks:
1. Cool weather: after a summer mostly in triple digits, waking up to temps in the 60s (even if only for an hour) is refreshing.
2. My friends here who have carried me through some hard times.
3. My friend who is helping me pack up to move 1000 miles away. As Anne of Green Gables would say, we are kindred spirits--the kind of friend one meets once or twice in a lifetime, and I find it very generous of her that she is helping me so very much.
4. An end to life in this location. A lot of hard has happened here, and I've not been able to get used to the culture despite being here for over 7 years. While location doesn't promise an improvement to the hard, it will be a break from some of the challenges unique to this location.
5. For this calm before the storm of packing up the truck and cross country driving (by myself with 3 kids and 2 dogs) to a new house (that I've never stepped foot in!) in a new location.
@Kaitlin,
I hope your move brings you and your children much deserved peace and joy.
I am so thankful that my dr. sent me to a diabetes dr. In January my A1C was 8. my doc said there were all these new diabetic drugs out there and he suggested I go to a specialist. It was so hard to get an appt and I kept trying to stay on the straight and narrow. In August, I finally saw the specialist. She gave me the latest and greatest meds. Took me off one of my expensive meds and gave me some great advice.
Something I dreaded actually changed my life for the good. Have been type 2 diabetic for more than 20 years. They want your A1c to be less than 7 and she tested mine at 6.7. Usually, I am not consistent but this time I am going to try.
Sorry about your toe. Glad it is healing.
Congratulations on your foritide Kristen, and your willingness to accept vulnérabilités. I need to pracrice this myself.
1. I am grateful for all the praise and gratitude of my leadership and humanity from so many in my workplace. I am voluntarily stopping down as the MD and resigning to tzke stock of my life at 57,5 years of age to plan what may come next. Long story but hearing unsollicited heartfelt thanks from these folks means more to me than anything at this point.
2. I am grateful for having à home to return to as we relocation back from here which will smooth the new journey a bit.
3. So thankful to have been able to spend some time in à Mislim culture - experiencing kindness and générosité from so many who have so little has given me more perspective on what I should value. One trip to à labor camp was the most enriching expérience I have know.
4. Gratefully anticipating being back in à colder climate where working outdoors and walking in the forest on a régular basis awaits me.
5. Very happy that my husband who is now 80 is doing well and did not catch CV-19 when I did (and that was a doozy of à time.)
Blessings for all.
Thankful for drs and referrals
Thankful for insurance (drs)
Thankful for friends that have prayed for daughter really struggling
Thankful for church and community
Thankful for this blog. Feel as if I’m not alone
Thankful for WFH days when I don't have to get out of my pajamas! I'm thankful for local produce, for a garden that's producing just enough to not be overwhelming, and for patient and understanding people in my life. I'm thankful for quiet time and meditation too. Those have been crucial lately!
TT, BFF's Visit Edition:
Thankful, as I have been since we met in 2009, for my JASNA BFF. As Kaitlin has said of her friend, BFF and I are truly kindred spirits--and I think this is especially rare for a friendship formed fairly late in life.
Not thankful that one of BFF's and my NYC friends, with whom BFF had lunch last Thursday, tested positive for COVID yesterday. (We're both concerned about the friend, who is symptomatic and complaining especially of earache.) But thankful that BFF and I (a) are testing negative thus far; (b) have no symptoms so far; and (c) can happily keep ourselves occupied both separately and together at home, even if her visit turns out to last longer than originally planned.
Thankful, as I have been so often, for all the friends and relatives who have given me extra COVID test kits. We're using them!
I’m thankful for the lovely weather we’ve had this last week and that I got the opportunity to enjoy it outside, foraging with my partner and friends.
So thankful for our little garden, it’s true joy to be able to go out and pick some strawberries for dessert or munch on a couple of sugarpeas coming home from work.
Grateful that there is public transportation so I can take the bus to the craft/farmers market on Saturday. Now the bus goes on Friday so I’ll be camping overnight but I’m just so happy I’ll actually get there. The bus is really a schoolbus, but in the summer you can pre-book and a taxi will drive instead. I tried it a couple of years ago and are amazed that this is a possibility.
Thankful for my partner, his DIY-skills and his willingness to help. I can use powertools myself but since I use them so seldom, I get real nervous when trying. Anyways, he’ll make me a earringstand tonight for the market. Hopefully this will boost the sale since people can se them better.
Grateful this was the last working day of the week. I’ve been so tired this week and it’s still a week to go with extra «summer» bustle. But thankfully it’s just a week before I can reinstate my predictable everyday routine 🙂
Your driving one related with me! We are working hard to get my 16 year old to be ready for his drivers test, because we have many, many, many kids activities, and it's so hard to juggle.
1) I'm thankful that, even though work is truly miserable at the moment, I have a great boss & coworkers. It doesn't totally eliminate the pain, but it helps to be working with really great & well intentioned people.
2) We had a bit of rain, which we desperately need. Not enough to even touch the drought, but some rain is better than none. It did bring with it humidity, which is unusual for us, and not appealing, but the tradeoff for rain is still worth it.
3) We have kind neighbors as well. One dropped off a bag of lemons for us yesterday, and another stopped by with Japanese eggplant from her garden. So sweet.
4) That I'm in the home stretch with planning for my Japan work trip. There are many, many, many requirements, due to COVID. Multiple apps, visa applications, paperwork, etc. It's turned an already unappealing business trip into significantly more work than expected. But, almost done!
5) For healthy kids. I'm just so grateful that they are healthy & happy, & generally well. The teenage years can be hard for kids, and I'm glad ours are navigating things well.
I've been having a rough time this week for a lot of reasons.
I'm thankful that I have a chest freezer and that everything we bought for a bbq we were supposed to have this weekend can be frozen for later. Even if we don't have a bbq, at least we can just eat the food ourselves.
I'm thankful that my daughter isn't seriously ill; just a bug or something.
I'm thankful that I can get my daughter into the doctor's office today and that I can take the day off.
That my induction burner is fantastic.
@Battra92,
I hope your daughter feels better soon! It's so hard when kids are sick!
I am also thankful for cooler, window-opening weather.
For local health care, as even though we are in a small town, we are in the county seat with the hospital, so a lot of testing can be done here, rather than us having to drive almost an hour away. I am thankful that many decades ago, the locals committed to building and maintaining a hospital, though I am sure the healing that happens there now is far beyond anything they could have imagined!
That my retirement in stocks is moving back up as the market improves.
Our DVR crashed and had to be replaced. Setting up the new one took much longer than we expected but still! It must have more computing power than the first Apollo space missions! We do live in miraculous times.
I'm thankful that my son's high school counselor has been very active in helping him out in his first days of HS. He graduated our small Catholic school and now has to got to the large public HS. He's has anxiety and things didn't go well yesterday. But the counselor spent a lot of time with him and checking on him.
I'm grateful that my senior HS daughter cares about her brother and took time from her schedule to walk him to some classes. (Even though the schedule had the wrong building on it! I'm so glad she was with him so she could bring him back to the main building and find where to go.
I'm thankful our PCP made room in her schedule to see him tomorrow so we can get a referral for a professional to help him manage this anxiety. (Getting appointments in my area is just awful right now. )
Even though my daughter's surgery in Oct had to be rescheduled, I'm glad the person helping me was able to move it to the week when I have family coming out to help post-op. And they let me know I needed to move another pre-op appointment, which was good to know.
These past few days have been hard for many reasons, but I'm trying to look on the positive side.
@mbmom11, I'm glad your school counselor was helpful regarding your son's anxiety. My son's school literally laughed at his anxiety diagnosis from a very eminent child psychiatrist. (sigh) Schools don't take boys' mental health seriously enough, I find.
Looking back, I so wish I had homeschooled. It would have been so much better and would have prevented years of heartache, anxiety, depression and bullying. Just ten minutes ago, my son came into my office and said, "If you put a gun to my head and told me you'd shoot if I didn't go to my high school reunion, I'd tell you to be sure to shoot twice."
@Rose, Boys do seem to get short-shrift about mental health issues. I've thought about homeschooling my guy - but he wants to try school and I don't know if I have the temperament for homeschooling. But I want him to feel successful and happy, so if by next week we don't have a better game plan, we might just try it.
@mbmom11,
I am so glad that your son’s school counselor is helping. I went to public school for the first time in 10th grade. It was shocking. I had lived a very sheltered life!!!!
@mbmom11,
Our daughter in law just opened an office to expand her already thriving tutoring business. She has two Masters degrees and years of teaching in HS and elementary, specializing in math and special Ed)
The expansion creates a physical office (most tutoring is in the kids' homes) to add a homeschooling component for parents who can’t do it due to work or other issues.
While you likely don’t live in her city, perhaps there is a similar place in yours to at least get your son started, if the need arises, or for advising on setup so you can do it. Since she specializes in special Ed kids, anxiety would fall squarely into her wheelhouse.
I love that you’re looking out so carefully for your son's welfare and just wanted to assure you that there may be other options, if needed.
@mbmom11, Good! I am really glad to hear it. My niece is going through a lot of the same issues my kids went through and I keep urging my sister to homeschool, but she's drunk the "socialization" Flavor Aid (actually used at Jonestown, not Kool Aid*) and won't. Sigh.
*I know knowitalls are tiresome. But does anyone ever realize that everyone getting everything wrong all the time is tiresome to knowitalls? Hmmm? Sorry.
@Rose,
People who think they know it all are so very annoying to those of us who actually do... 😉
@Becca,
Teehee. Sorry. Couldn't resist.
@Rose, hope a professional can help your child and family.
@mbmom11, From a homeschooling mom— With the resources available today, if you love your child, you can homeschool. I realize the way I wrote that makes it seem like “If you love your child, you will homeschool “ but that’s not what I mean. Love will motivate you to find a way to do what’s best, or something like that. Sorry— brain isn’t engaged.
Ooooh, homemade bread is a wonderful gift! My mother made the best bread ever and one year for Christmas she gave my husband and I the gift of a monthly loaf of whatever kind we wanted. One of the many, many things about her I miss now, and am so thankful to have had the opportunities to enjoy it during her lifetime.
Today I am also thankful for...
1. Being double-vaxxed and double boosted. Hubby and I are now battling Covid, but our symptoms so far are mild and seem to be resolving slowly, but surely.
2. Kind friends who offered to drop necessities at our door since we are quarantining.
3. The local diner that has good matzoh ball soup and delivers.
4. Plenty of books on hand to pass the time.
5. Ice cream, had the worst sore throat for 5 full days and the ice cream felt soooo good.
Thankful that:
1. We finally have some night time and the days are getting shorter every day. I detest the 24 hours of daylight every summer. I feel like a bug caught under a magnifying glass.
2. My garden is producing so lavishly.
3. My sister is coming to visit. This is no small thing since she lives on the East Coast, about as far as one can get from Alaska and still be in the U.S.
4. Money has been coming to us left and right this month. Good thing because pound hound has an infection and a broken tooth and it is costing us $1200(!!) to have it all taken care of today. I wondered why we were being blessed with money this month and now I know why!
5. Alaska has a ranked voting system, where you vote for everyone going after a certain seat, ranking them in the order you want them. If 50% is not earned by anyone, the bottom ranked person falls off and those number are apportioned by what the voters for that person ranked the others. The effect is supposed to be that the extremes of both ends are less likely to be elected. Yesterday was our election day and this is the first year we have had ranked voting and it seems to have worked, our most polarizing folks are not coming out on top so far. Of course, the extremists who seem to be losing are already saying this system needs to be changed---it was approved by the voters last time around so this is the first test of it. I am very thankful to see moderation prevailing.
I am thankful for a wonderful hair stylist that cut my Hair and brought back the curls today. What a lovely refresh!!
So thankful for the sweet pup that joined our family. He is a great snuggler which this Mama is so grateful for as it helps me through the grief of losing our sweet Luna.
I am thankful for the routine of back to school. Summer was lovely but I am also enjoying a hot cup of coffee after carpool, bedtime which means Mom gets a hot bath or has time to read or catch up on laundry. And my kiddo is happy and enjoying school so it is a win win.
Thankful for my husband who is helpful with dishes, fixing stuff, yard work, basically whatever I ask him to help with.
Thankful for cooler temperatures and the zinnias that are growing like crazy in my backyard and providing lovely flowers for my home.
Thankful for a safe trip taking my son back to college. Thankful that although his new dorm room got off to a bumpy start (the bunk beds were in poor repair), the issue was resolved. Grateful for nice weather while moving him in. And for the ability to eat at Dairy Queen, which we don't have near our home, while there. Thankful we could make it to a beautiful observation tower in his college town. And thankful that we had him home for the summer and were able to take an amazing family vacation. At this point in time, that's not a given!
I am thankful for my husband, who has taken care of three sick dogs this week. Also thankful for a sale on paper towels at our local supermarket! Especially thankful for a break in the weather, as work this week has required a lot of running around outside.
Thankful I’m getting over the worst of Covid. Second time being sick this summer and I have no energy.
I am thankful that my husband spent last weekend helping me paint our bedroom. (He hates painting so I really appreciated his willingness to help.)
I am grateful for cooler evenings. We can sleep with the windows open.
I am thankful for the cookies a friend brought by.
for Reese's peanut butter cup Thins.
I always eat around the peanut butter on the regular cups, going for the chocolate. Sometimes I even throw away some of the peanut butter. : 0
The Thins milk chocolate to peanut butter ratio is perfect.
and for keeping my chocolate in the fridge for the snap.
I am a runner and, on occasion, toe nails fall off. I will just paint where the nail would be and unless your really get down and inspect my toe, it looks pretty good.....just a FYI to not miss sandal season for 2022.
@Wendy, hikers too,I've lost 8, but the first one was omg whats happening
*Kristen, even when I don't comment I am always so grateful for the weekly gratitude reminder. It is lovely to hear what sweet things people are seeing in their own lives too. Thank you, thank you! You remain in my ongoing thoughts and prayers for great grace.
1. Today I'm grateful that my middle son's unexplained ongoing migraines don't seem to be from an aneurysm or elevated blood pressure - both can be connected to his kidney disease. It looks like they are from something external, which hopefully we can find and eliminate.
2. My oldest son is cheerful and dependable to take care of things during the day when I need to drop the reins for all of the extra doctor visits.
3. Dear friends who are checking in on him and praying for us all during this time.
4. A few minutes by myself tonight with ice cream and a movie (feeling spread very thin today).
5. In spite of all of the drama of my extended family, a few of them came over last weekend for a sweet dinner and visit - first time since Christmas.
@Amanda P, How frightening for your son and family! I hope you get a clear diagnosis and treatment very soon.
Today I am thankful for:
--the local farmers market
--good books
--a chance to swim at the local pool
--warm weather
--a few more days of vacation
I am thankful for the cooler weather, too. It makes sitting out on our deck so much more enjoyable. I got in my car this morning and had to turn my AC off cause I was cold!
Thankful for hubby's business trip. Gave me some much needed alone time - daughter was home with me - and he was able to get home early. He drove to Virginia rather than fly so he could set the cruise control and listen to his music and not have to deal with airport antics.
Thankful that daughter made her own dinners as I'm happy with a protein shake or bar since my weight loss surgery.
Thankful I was able to touch base with a second cousin today. I'm hoping that hubby and I can escape to Naples FL next spring to see them all.
Thankful for my family, my home and our good life.
Thankful that the town is probably making some money as a movie is filming here in my little town. It's Isle of the Dead. I'll have to go to a council meeting and learn more about it and any benefits the town got.
I’ve just seen this; I don’t know how I missed the other posts this week. But I wanted to add my love and caring to everyone else’s. 25 years is significant. Having a low moment is totally valid. I am guessing that on what would have been the 26th anniversary, it won’t feel quite so sore and painful, but that’s not much help now. For what it’s worth, I think that feeling the whole range of emotions is very healthy and a predictor of future wellness and strength. ❤️