Thankful Thursday | It's chilly and I'm thrilled
This week, I am thankful:
for fall weather!!!
It's been slightly chilly this week, and I am so, so, so, so happy.
Even though it's been cloudy and rainy, I don't even care. I'm just so freaking happy that it's not hot out.
And the forecast has exactly zero days with highs in the 80s. I could cry happy tears.
for the rain
We've had some really dry autumns in the last few years, so I'm glad for some days of soaking rain.
that I found a clinical site
I think I told you that I have to do 45 hours of clinicals in an outpatient setting next semester. In RN school, they arranged our clinical placements for us, but for this class, we each have to find our own.
Thankfully, through my connections with the inpatient ostomy nurses, I got approval to do my hours at our hospital's outpatient wound clinic. Sweet.
I submitted the paperwork for the clinical site, so now I just have to wait for my school to approve it.
(My health/vaccination/background check stuff is still a hot mess, but we are not gonna discuss that because it's Thankful Thursday. Ha.)
that I feel so much better about my freezer
I know I said this in Monday's post, but boy, I do feel better now that my freezer is not a disaster.
Imagine how good I'm gonna feel after a few more weeks of freezer-challenge life!
Maybe it's a little bit silly, but in a small way, my life feels a little less out of control, a little less like I'm in survival mode. 🙂
that I feel good enough to go to the gym
I missed quite a few days of working out last week because of being sick with a cold, but I made it there Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday this week!
I'm at work today and tomorrow, so no gym time for me...my workout is just going to be lots of walking and standing. 😉
that my work bestie is scheduled today and tomorrow
Our unit is so big, Brittany and I won't necessarily be working near each other, but we can at least drop in to see each other briefly.
And if we are very lucky, our patient groups will be next to each other. That's an elite work day in both of our minds. 😉
that my community college class is so manageable
I am super happy with my decision to take this at the community college instead of at the four-year school because I know their version would have been tedious and irritating. Ha.
The community college class is a double win: cheaper AND less frustrating.
that I only have 12 weeks until winter break
I haven't had a break from classes since last winter, so I am really looking forward to this!
We started at 16 weeks, and now we're down to 12, so that's 25% of the way through. Sweet.
Twelve weeks sounds more manageable than three months, so weeks it is!
(By the way...my semester ends December 20th, so this also means that Christmas is only about 12 weeks away.)
that almost all of my friend's stuff has been rehomed
I mentioned that my friend died of cancer this summer and that I helped her kids clean out the storage unit. I brought home a van full of stuff to give away, and I am almost done now!
I sold the boxes of Legos and sent the money to my friend's kids, and I've given away the rest of the items on Facebook groups.
I'm grateful that there were people who really wanted all the random things; it makes me happy that my friend's items are now in good homes, and I know she'd be happy too.
I love living in the era of giveaway groups! It is so very nice to know your item is almost certain to be used and loved (not always a guarantee when you drop something off at Goodwill).
Can I just say how very sweet it is that you've been helping your friend's kid deal with their Mom's storage unit. I know from similar experience how very overwhelming that is. I am confident that if they had a Thankful Thursday list, you would be number one!
Great thankfuls, Kristen! Hope work goes well for you- it's fun that you and your friend are scheduled for the same shifts!
-thankful for the [relatively] non-bumpy times in life (life inevitably brings bumps and challenges!!), so trying to intentionally appreciate periods of calm. Sending thoughts and strength to those of you who are navigating a bumpier season right now.
-thankful that my schedule this fall is significantly better than my schedule for the previous year (related to intensity of work and my grad classes).
-thankful for the slight chill in the air. I'm pretty picky about both heat/humidity & cold, but I like the mid-range 🙂
-thankful for a phone call with a friend who recently moved away. We used to walk once a month, so when she moved away we thought we could still "walk and talk" via the phone. Yay for no long distance fees.
-thankful for delicious food enjoyed this past week (highlights = homemade butternut soup, freshly baked cookies, colorful salads).
-thankful for friendly work colleagues. As Kristen said, it makes time at work more enjoyable!
-thankful for the continued joy of playing volleyball (fun + exercise + friendly people).
This sounds like other thankful lists I've made, lol, but it's good to be reminded not to take these things for granted. I enjoy reading everyone's lists each Thursday!
Your freezer contents sound like a personal barometer for your level of being on top of things. I think/wonder if we all have those. Mine recently has been if I open my planner book or not and instead survive days on good vibes and sticky notes (ahh lol).
I'm really thankful for many things but this site is being glitchy and my keyboard keeps disappearing so instead of freaking out I'm just going to wish you all a good day!
That reminds me of a line from a book I had as a kid where a teacher says to the class 'a tidy desk reflects a tidy mind' and the main character thinks 'my mind must have exploded then'. Very relatable 😉
As I type this at my very messy desk, I can so relate to your post, Sophie in Denmark!
Sophie in Denmark,
LOL!! With my very untidy home at the moment, I don't even want to think what state my brain is in. 🙂
There's also a funny scene in Gilmore Girls where Lorelai (the main character) goes into an insanely messy room and says 'this is always what I pictured the inside of my head to look like!' Mine too 😉
It's at the 26 second mark in this clip, if anyone's interested!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZXyzURlNJg
This reminds me of when my elderly aunt (who passed away several years ago) was in the hospital a few days. She was a lovely, kind, diplomatic person. At one point she looked around the room, her bedside table and the rolling bed table and commented, “It looks like the bears have been here”. That sweet observation resulted in us doing a clean up/straightening up.
I am a bit jealous that you get to work in the wound clinic! Ever since our experience with DS#1 that's been a bit of a pipe dream for me.
Thankful here for the same cool weather! I can go biking without being drenched in sweat! (We got a little drenched by rain yesterday, but I'll take that over blistering/humid heat!) We've had the A/C off and no furnace running yet which is wonderful.
Thankful that we have an Aldi nearby and DH was curious enough to check it out...they had pumpkin spice tea and other teas at a better price than our other usual stores, so I'm enjoying a cup right now while the house is quiet. I have a bit of a tea habit but I remind DH there are worse vices.
Thankful that DS#3 continues to get stronger. He's had such a hard road. It's not over yet, but he's gaining ground.
Thankful that DH is almost near his official retirement date--he is very much looking forward to NOT going to the base anymore! Today is his last "full" day there, and then Monday he turns in his paperwork and is DONE.
And I'm thankful that I was able to recapture the Commodore--I foolishly let him out into the garage this morning, not realizing that the big garage door was open and DH was still working on his bike. Thankfully Sir Fluffington graciously allowed me to catch up to him and scoop him up before he disappeared under a car or into the backyard.
What a fantastic group of thankfuls. I am also thrilled for the fall weather. We are hoping for rain, too, here in the mid(south) in Oklahoma.
I'm also so thrilled to have a thankful Thursday, America edition, now that I'm back, if not officially moved:
- For all the space we have. In the airports, on the roads, in the bathrooms, in our houses. Oh my goodness there is so much room for activities!
- For being able to do errands in my native language. I spent a whole day trying to sort out my very recently expired license and nearly had to take the driving test again because it was an out-of-state transfer. Six phone calls later (with no translator, no studying beforehand), I found the right place that knew what to do so I could just get a new one without the testing!
- For friendly random interactions. I work from home and have been very isolated, so maybe it's me a little bit, but I spoke to so many interesting and kind people in the airports and on the planes.
- For customer service agents. Amongst the license saga and a small disruption to my travel, so many real human beings were there to help. For example, I watched one lady sit on the phone with another customer for 1 hour while the whole baggage claim line was grumbling, and then she was so kind to me when I came up to her line next.
- For fruit (watermelons are only $6????), trash cans everywhere, being able to have a quiet morning without jumping on work meetings immediately, beautiful parks (the Olympics had no clouds on them flying in...swoon), and the support of my parents through a very long and complicated move.
@FJB, it sounds as if you have an interesting story to tell. Maybe you will participate in Kristen's Meet A Reader for those of us with curious (nosy?) minds...
Re your #2 - I lived in Germany for 3 years when my dad was stationed there in the 1960's and I remember when we returned to the US (I was 10 years old) it felt like I was eavesdropping on everybody's conversations just because I could understand what everyone was saying.
Thankful for my life. I thank my lucky stars every day for the life I've been given. I wish that for everyone.
I hardly ever post but over the past week, I have A LOT to be thankful for. A week ago today, my husband and I got a call from our son, who had just been in an accident. First and foremost, no one was injured. He was close to home (5 min away) and walked away without a scratch. When we got to the scene and saw the state of his vehicle, I am still unsure how he managed to be uninjured. He was hit from behind and pushed into the car in front of him. His car was totaled.
I'm thankful for the kind police officer who was on scene as well as the fire department and volunteers who were so kind through the whole event. I'm thankful for helpful insurance workers and the lady from the tow yard who turned away the insurance person who came to take the car before we had a chance to come after work and clean it out.
I'm thankful my husband and I work at the same company, so my son could use my car to get to work while my husband and I could adjust our schedules for a few weeks and ride together.
Definitely feeling all around grateful this past week.
Glad your son is ok!!
So glad that your son was able to walk away from that bad accident, Shelley. Your description reminds me of the accident in November 2020 where I wrecked our Prius--except that I was partly at fault, whereas your son seems to have been caught between a rock and a hard place (almost literally). Best wishes to you all.
My oldest sister and I had a "come to Jesus talk." I told her the truth about an action that seemed very insensitive and she told me that she hasn't been "seen" by anyone is two years and that I am completely unavailable emotionally. In fact "all I do is talk about myself." Through counseling she has decided to listen to me as "a service" because (summarizing here) it is all I am capable of emotionally
Wow.
So here is my gratitude list:
1. I did not get into a mud wresting match.
I said "that is quite a shocking revelation." I figured there is no unpacking a 62 year relationship - 13 of which we shared a room. She is 5 years older.
2. I am thankful for long term friends.
I called 7 of friends I have had from 30 - 50 years. I made sure I included the prickliest. I asked for their complete honesty without telling them any backstory. What kind of friend am I? Summary: I am great one on one. I am good at back an forth. In a large crowd, I tend to overtalk ( kind of like a master of ceremony's type.) I knew the last part. I am working on it. When I asked if they could rely on me they all said in a heartbeat.
3. I am thankful I am willing to be uncomfortable.
Cause let me tell you: I am uncomfortable. I was already fighting depression. But I am taking actions to be able to endure, get more feedback and choose appropriate action. I am useing the CBT skills I am learning in therapy :
T: temperature Change
I: intense action
P: paced breathing
P: pairwith muscle relaxation.
I have been diving into a pool, doing yoga after weight training. there is no need for emergency action to make things worse
Mary Ann, I'm sorry you're having to navigate this difficult relationship, especially on top of battling depression. I'm inspired by your #2 strategy of reaching out to friends - you really went out of your way to get a good sampling (takes a lot of energy!). I'm thankful for you (and others) who are willing to share constructive strategies for challenges, which I can use in some of my own interpersonal dealings.
@Mary Ann, cheering you on from Central California, in admiration for your courage to face hard things and seek the truth. It sounds to me as if being "emotionally unavailable" is a wise strategy when dealing with someone who has an enormous capacity to hurt you.
Now I need to look up CBT, because perhaps I could use a few of those skills myself.
Thankful for the internet because I learned this regarding CBT:
CBT skills are practical ways learned in cognitive behavioral therapy to manage unhelpful thoughts, emotions, and behaviors by using structured talk therapy over a limited number of sessions.
Mary Ann, I personally would have been sorely tempted to get into a mud-wrestling match (I've got a sister I'd like to wrestle some mud with myself), so I commend you on your restraint. And CBT was one of the specialties of the house for the small publishing company I used to work for, so I'm very glad you're using CBT skills beneficially. Keeping you in my good thoughts.
I'm so sorry to hear about your friend who passed away from cancer - I don't think I had read the post where you shared about that. It's a kind and thoughtful gift you are giving to her family to help with passing along her items. I'm sure that is such a lift off of their shoulders to have some help!!
Hear, hear!
So far, our autumn cool downs have only been in the high 90's instead of 100's, and no rain at my house. It's more like August 2.0 than September!
So I am thankful for air conditioning and water sprinklers. One keeps me alive, the other keeps my grass and trees alive.
Thankful that the city lets us water 3 days a week.
Thankful that my friend Monica was able to move out of the housing projects into a much safer and more beautiful senior housing community and that her little duplex is a nice cozy new home for her.
Thankful I was able to help a coworker. Turns out this new employee was homeless, living in a car, from Halloween until April last year. A human service agency was able to get her into a tiny apartment. She no longer has a car so she walks or bicycles everywhere. I was able to drive her to the check cashing place and back to her apartment last night. It was dark by the time our shifts ended.
Thankful for phyto-estrogen supplements -- no more hot flashes!
Thankful I found the cell phone I'd lost months ago. It had fallen under the car seat, and although I'd looked there before, I didn't find it until yesterday. Maybe I can get it back in service now.
A few simple thankfuls:
* I have a pickup to drive when car goes wonky (wonky item #4 happened this week and I have only had the car 1 year, enforcing the wisdom of "No such thing as a free car" —ummm, thanks for the car, Mom?)
* that the internet (and frugal living) provides an occasional whimsical impulsive self-indulgent purchase of something completely unnecessary such as a beautiful new-to-me mug
* for a wonderful time with my Texas friend when she was in California for a few months; a 40-year friendship is a beautiful thing!
This week:
Decaf coffee;
The discovery of murdles;
Indian summer in our region (shorts, and not too hot to be outside!)
Have a great weekend ahead-
It’s wonderful to see how hopeful and optimistic you are with work, school and your relationships!
This week, I am thankful for:
• The chance to be a homemaker and intentionally nurture my relationships with my husband and children.
• The opportunity to put my organizational skills to work and transform two chaotic storage rooms at our church that desperately needed some TLC.
• That my family and I are finally on the mend after a grueling two-week sickness, and for bodies that are so wonderfully resilient at healing themselves.
• Being able to actually taste my food again! It is such an easy thing to take for granted—and a sweet reminder of how much more enjoyable yummy foods are when you can experience all the flavors.
• The changing seasons. The official start of fall and the gorgeous golden leaves beginning to tint the trees.
I, too, am thankful for the recent heavy rain, which in NM is called monsoon season. (Makes it sound like we're in India. Ever see the old (really old) 1939 movie The Rains Came? Re-made/re-released as The Rains of Ranchipur in 1955? No? Just me? Myrna Loy? Tyrone Power?)
The rain has raised the water levels in the Rio Grande sufficiently to permit a very late irrigation distribution to our farmers who have really suffered this very hot (104 degrees anyone? Anyone? Bueller?), very dry summer. So daytime temperatures have dropped into the 50's and 60's (we were lucky if nighttime temps dropped into the low 70's).
I saw it! It's been a loooong time.
I don't know if I ever told you I was sorry to hear about your friend. I think honoring her by making sure her things have good homes is a helpful thing to do for her family. Everyone benefits, including her kids. This week I am thankful for:
*air conditioning, because in no way are we experiencing fall in central Texas...
*my recently restocked freezer which will keep me fed for a few weeks to come with only very minor pick ups from the store.
*journaling, which has helped me very much lately
*a clean and quiet house, a good book, and a glass of wine this afternoon - such luxury!
We have also had much needed rain! I am happy for some autumn sunshine though 🙂
-Biggest thankful this week is finally being able to run a 10K. I ran it slowly, but I am so happy that I accomplished it. A few years ago I couldn't even run for five minutes and now I can run for an hour and a half! I did a victory leap from the swimming platform afterwards!
- Thankful for yoga classes, particularly for tight legs post running!
- I enjoyed seeing a friend at a place where she works. We sat in the courtyard in the sunshine and a friendly kitty came to say hi.
- I had fun at my book club the other evening. It's good to hang out with some people I may not have met otherwise and also read books I might not have read otherwise.
- I'm enjoying seeing the leaves change and feeling the slight chill in the air 🙂
So well done on your 10K, Sophie! That is a major accomplishment and a sign of your perseverance!
Thank you Amy C!
Very thankful it's fall as well. Have been counting the days. My favorite time of the year!
What a sweet, kind and helpful thing to do for your friend and her kids. It is the best form of honoring your friendship.
Grateful past me put up wild elderberry juice so that I could make my honey elderberry gummies for my dry hacking cough. This too shall pass.
Put away my summer yoga pants. I love this time of year.
The aurora borealis showed off early this morning.
I found a couple of high schoolers to do odd jobs, emptying out my attic, putting firewood in the woodshed, wild blackberry abatement and barn cleaning. Good kids.
I, too, am thankful for cooler weather. This summer was horrible, the worst in my memory. These early fall days are beautiful.
I will be thankful for quite a while that I weathered COVID, terrible side effects from Paxlovid, and then a UTI. I am feeling pretty normal now, which seems amazing and wonderful.
I am thankful that a friend alerted me to the fact that the excessive phlegm in my throat could be from acid reflux. Eating more mindfully and sitting upright after meals have made a world of difference.
I am thankful for our great public library, our transit system, our many parks, our many and varied restaurants -- all things that make my city so wonderful to live in.
Thankful that my FIL's house sold. Listed about a month ago and hadn't seen any action, then got a cash offer.
I am sad that I don't have fall where I live now, but very thankful that I was able to move (and retire) to be close to my 86 year old mom.
Thankful that Mom and I each have the provision to have our own homes-we would NOT do well together under the same roof! 😉
Thankful that I came make my home look a bit fallish and burn fall candles, along with my a/c. I have free a/c from 8pm to 8am, so there might be a little cooler air so I need a throw while reading or watching TV.
This might sound a bit strange on a frugal blog, but thankful that I had the funds to buy a new book I really wanted on publication day this week. I got a discount and had a little left from a gift card, so I got $15 off the cover price. I have bought very few new books this year (another thankful for me), so this feels like a real treat.
The pleasure from a rare treat!
I second that!
I’m curious about your Lego pricing & how nice of you to help your late friend’s kids & I’m sorry about your loss. My almost 23 year old son gave the OK to sell a huge tub of Legos and I’m going to put them in our church’s kid’s consignment sale (30% goes to children’s programs. I’ve kept special Lego’s for him. I’ve packed the Lego’s in quart size baggies & there are unique blocks/pieces in each bag. I was thinking about pricing between $8-$10 per bag & I have the option of discounting at 50% on the last day. What do you think? Thank you!
Basically I looked online to see what they were going for and priced accordingly!