Thankful Thursday | Lemme tell you about Pachick
To start us off, I'm thankful for a stuffed chick. Let me explain.
About five years ago, Lisey and her friend bought an enormous yellow chick from Target.
He would be a rather run-of-the-mill stuffed animal if it weren't for his size; he's just so big!
Lisey named him Pachick (you pronounce it like Patrick, except it's Pachick) and she has been on many adventures with him.
One year, she drove her little Corolla up to Canada (in January, mind you) and she had him buckled into her passenger seat. She said as she drove along the highway, people kept doing double-takes and then laughing.
When she got to the border between the U.S. and Canada, the border patrol agent said, "So, what's up with the chick?" and they had to pat him down to make sure she wasn't smuggling something into the country. Ha.
When she felt a little sleepy during her drives, she said she had made-up arguments with Pachick (he doesn't share her political views), and that helped to keep her awake. 😉
Pachick went with her when she moved in with my aunt and uncle, but of late he's been here with us.
Lisey decided she needed to take him with her to Hawaii (because of course!) so she stuck him into a space bag and vacuum-sealed him and OH MY WORD, this made the three of us laugh so hard.
I don't know what it was about seeing him in the bag, but we could not stop laughing. My abs hurt!
So, Pachick is currently very...compressed. And hopefully, he will reinflate once Lisey unpacks him in Hawaii.
Anyway, this whole Pachick situation is very emblematic of how Lisey moves through the world, and I love it. We are really gonna miss her chaotic energy!
What else?
I am thankful:
for this lovely pear painting
Remember the photogenic pear I posted? And how I said it seemed like it would be perfect for a painting?
Well, reader Jana (who goes by Central California Artist here in the comments) painted it!
And she said I could share this scanned version with you, titled The Frugal Pear (heh).
You can follow Jana's blog at https://www.cabinart.net/blog/
for Lisey's boss from Valvoline
Lisey had multiple bosses at Valvoline, but in 2020, she had one named Steve and he has been such a huge blessing in her life...a wonderful father figure for her.
He's the one who first suggested that she might like to go to aviation school.
He's written a whole pile of recommendation letters for her to help her apply for scholarships.
He's been there for her during various meltdowns over the years, always available to offer a cheerful word of advice, or to send her some cute animal pictures or videos to distract her.
Sometimes when I am not sure how to help Lisey, I say, "Have you tried texting Steve?" because I know he will always know what to say.
His sense of humor is just quirky enough to mesh perfectly with Lisey's.
And when she graduated last week, he drove all the way to be there to attend, and he brought her a card with $100 in it.
I am endlessly grateful for the difference he has made in her life!
the end of a string of rainy, cold weather
After today, the weather is going to get sunnier and warmer!
I have been appreciating all the lovely little raindrops on the plants as I walk, but still...I doooooo prefer sunshine.
for my rain jacket
It's been coming in very handy lately!
for my neighbor Donna who helps Lisey
The two of them have been busy prepping Lisey's car for shipping to Hawaii, and I just love that Lisey has this relationship with Donna.
for my bedroom
I really, really love my little bedroom. I was telling my friend that I often feel like I am staying at a hotel because it is so lovely in there!
for these baby spruce growths
My big spruce tree is sending out so much new growth right now and the new little bits almost feel like silicone. I love touching them when I walk by.
for my cat
She's so cute and I love how social and snuggly she is.
Seriously, the best cat ever. I don't know how we got so lucky with our first try!
I am thankful for my two furry, purry alarm clocks. They never let me oversleep, and they make for a pleasant start to my days.
I'm thankful there are people like Steve and Donna in the world, because they restore my faith in human nature.
Pachick - Best. Story. Ever!
@Mary ~ Reflections Around the Campfire, I was thinking the same thing.
I laughed at Pachick smothered in that bag too! Car shipping…. I’ve done it twice and I reneged it being so much work to prep. I’m so impressed with all the cool stuff Lisey is doing!
I’m thankful
-for my weighted blanket mostly because it helps me sleep but also because it attracts my dog who then sleeps at my feet, which is wonderful.
-for buds on the trees. Finally, I see them!!
-for people who speak truth to me when I’m second guessing myself.
-that no one looked at me cross eyed when I bought lumber the other day. I have a history of bad experiences when in spaces typically dominated by men, but this time was pleasant and no one seemed offended I didn’t have whiskers while doing my thing.
-for agency to make choices about my life.
-that my daughter’s most recent audiology test came back with no additional hearing loss! What a wonderful surprise!
@Kaitlin, Yay! That's all ... just ... Yay!
Jana’s painting is beautiful.
It’s wonderful that Steve became a mentor for Lisey. You can never have enough people that care about you in this life. It is a blessing indeed.
This week I’m thankful that I’ve made it
to Thursday. Nothing has gone according to plan, and I’ve had very little sleep.
I’m also thankful for coffee. See above.
Wishing everyone good health, peace and prosperity.
Aww, Bee. I'm so sorry you had a tough week. I hope the last half of your week is better!
@Bee, aw shucks, thank you! Starting with a beautiful photo makes all the difference.
May you sleep well tonight.
Kudo's to the creative people in our midst! A beautiful pear magnificently captured, once on camera and once on canvas.
I am thankful for
Lovely weather and the first teas and coffees outside
Outdoor swimming
Line dried laundry (you may see this popping up every other week until October)
The way our two cats have taken possession of every single room in our house (except for the garage, because it holds tools that might hurt them)
A new brightly coloured canvas tote bag/shopping bag. I do not like running errands. I might as well run them in any way that cheers me up.
Smells of Spring, everywhere
@J NL, thank you!
I am with you on the errands—they interrupt painting time.
Beware of bossy cats. Sometimes I have to sit on the floor by the wood stove because of a possessive cat hogging the chair.
@Central Calif. Artist,
Lol about bossy cats! One of our cats will immediately take over your seat if you get up even for a few seconds. We created what we call the "Mega Pillow" (a throw pillow covered by a folded throw blanket) that he especially loves.
Also, I am loving the pear painting. I so admire people like you who have such talent, because I do not possess it myself. I didn't realize you have a blog - I'll have to check it out. 🙂
@Liz B., our bossy cat is an outdoor cat that sneaks in and races to a certain chair. My husband is a pushover for this little dude.
Thank you for liking my painting.
My blog isn't like Kristen's other than being an honest look into my life. It is about being an artist in a rural place, very regional kind of stuff. It isn't about being frugal, and since this is Kristen's territory, I don't push it here. But you are more than welcome to visit!
@Central Calif. Artist, your painting is so beautiful. really does the pear justice. you are very talented.
This was such a joy-filled list, Kristen - the growth in your inner-peace is palpable, and I am so, so happy for you!
Over here, we are finally tapering down after weeks and weeks of prepping to walk across Spain, beginning next week, and my list will reflect that!
1) That our last two long training hikes 17 and 17 miles, done back-to-back are now completed, and did not leave us wiped out, a testament to how much stronger we've gotten since we started our trip training in February.
2) That the out-of-the-blue seizing pain in my red leg during one of our training hikes went away after three hard walks, as quickly and mysteriously as it came on.
3) That yesterday's long walk was spent alongside the ocean on a spectacular blue sky day. And for the numerous dolphin sightings.
4) For bumping into numerous friends as we walked, one of whom stopped his long distance bicycle ride to chat and join us for lunch. We've been in our new-to-us coastal community for six years now, and these type of occurrences warm my heart and make me feel like our new roots have really been established.
And 5) For the roadrunners that regularly run through our yard, oftentimes with their meal (eeks) in their beak. They are all so beautiful, and I just love them!
Whoa! 17 miles! That's so impressive.
@Kristen, What's impressive is what she's going to do in Spain. Tamara, I hope we get a whole story about this when you're back home. Or even before!
@JDinNM, So kind of you, thank you! In a nutshell, we love to set physical goals for ourselves, and this is just the latest one! The Spain walk is deferred from 2020, when you-know-what happened. Originally we were going to conclude our 225 mile walk by arriving into Santiago, Spain on my DH's 65th BDay. So this will be a belated celebration.
I could provide many more details on how we've been preparing, and how we'll be navigating the walk, to be sure, but since is Kristen's blog and not mine (ha!) I'll leave it there!
@Tamara R, are you going to do the Camino de Santiago?? AWESOME!
@Central Calif. Artist, Yes! Paella, tapas and sangria here we come! (You see where my mind is, lol!)
@Tamara R, I have a friend who did this walk and she said she was STARVING the entire time. She said she was so hungry that she actually ate potato chips and drank beer, neither of which she likes. 😎
@Tamara R,
I, also, have a friend who walked the Camino. She lived to tell the tale (lol), and returned with her teenage son last year to do it again! She's a total foodie, so I'm sure she enjoyed all the food and drink as well.
@Tamara R,
That's so amazing to be doing that walk. I love Spain, (my sister has lived there most of her adult life). I have a collection of books by people who have done the Camino. Have a wonderful time!
That pear! Wow. And I was wondering if Lisey would be taking a car and how that would work.
I am thankful:
*for our library system. They do so much for our community. They have a writing contest each year that my children enter, and this year my 11yo won for the first time. We went to the reception and enjoyed the published author who spoke about the writing process in an engaging way.
*for the head children's librarian. He emcees the event, and when he talks to the children about their writing, he treats them like people. He comments in kind and relevant ways, and he seems to genuine.
*for the rain. It was dry.
*for the sunshine that peeked through the clouds for a few brief moments yesterday.
*for the opportunity to learn alongside my children. What a trip it's been!
*for progress.
Sometimes there are young male librarians at our local branch and I always think that is so wonderful; librarians are overwhelmingly female, in my experience, and I think it must be so great for young boys to see an adult man who is into books. So I smiled when I read about your head librarian. 🙂
@Jody S., thank you. Couldn't have done it without Kristen's generosity. And one of my favorite librarians is man with the weirdest name that I can never remember. Have to reintroduce every time he fills in at our local library.
@Jody S., I must do an addendum: it seems our broody hen has hatched out at least one chick. The visual confirmation is blurry, but the kids are hearing lots of peeps emanating from under that hen's feathers!
I'm thankful for the sight of Pachick and the pretty pear painting!
I'm thankful for my idiot dogs who make me laugh every day.
I'm thankful for my lovely house, which I adore. I'm thankful to be able to hear and see the ocean as I'm in bed at night.
I'm hopeful the weather will improve here soon--I am so sick of the rain and cold. I am hopeful a new treatment will improve my health (but not that hopeful because I have been disappointed too often). I am hopeful I will manage to get on top of the clutter one day.
I am thankful I got a 2 in Wordle today! Ha.
Took me four tries! The first two words I tried had no green squares at all.
@Rose, Nice! It took me four tries today too. My 11 year old daughter once guessed it on the first try and she has since retired - I guess it's good to go out on top.
@CrunchyCake, I have never gotten a 1! Though I acknowledge it's dumb luck a lot of the time.
Re Pachick having different political views, it made me laugh. I often pretend my dogs do--which annoys and upsets friends of mine. You realize my foxhound doesn't really turn on Fox News, right? I said, "It's because she thinks they're report about local foxes." Sheesh. My current beagle is a libertarian and flat taxer, by the way.
I did it in 3 today as well with only the middle one tge first 2 tries. I'm really not sure how I actually got it. I had my one and only "hole in 1" a few weeks ago. I'm pretty certain I'll never guess it in 1 try again!
@Rose, I got a 2 in Wordle yesterday and a 3 today---better than my usual 4 or 5, so I was very happy with that. Especially with today's word, what an odd choice.
Thankful that this week, I've finally gotten around to doing something I've been putting off for ages: calling local masons and hiring one of them to repair the front steps and repoint a lot of the bricks around the exterior of the house. Whenever I need to arrange home repairs that are beyond my own skill set or those of my two usual helpers, I get a "This is not my department" feeling, since DH used to handle all this stuff. But it's my department now whether I like it or not, so I'm trying to suck it up and get on with it--as I know many of us are doing.
Grateful also that JASNA BFF and I are here for each other in sad times as well as happy ones. Today's the first anniversary of her husband's death, and I'm thankful I can provide support.
Thankful for the sounds and scents of spring; birding by ear is a special pleasure, now that the full dawn chorus is here. And although we've had chilly rain here since Saturday of last week, at least this has kept some daffodils around for a while. It's odd but very nice to have the last of the daffodils and the first of the lilacs at the same time.
And along with everyone else, I've enjoyed Pachick and the pear!
Aww, so wonderful you can provide comfort to your BFF. You know some of the grief she is experiencing and I'm sure she is so thankful for your care.
@A. Marie,
"This is not my department" is often my feeling, too. We can do this, though!
And - how sweet that you can walk with your friend through her grief.
@A. Marie, it's a nightmare to sort through contractors to find competent, responsible one. Having to deal with them when you are a woman puts the experience in a whole new circle of hell.
@A. Marie, thank you for enjoying the pear. Pachick is hilarious!
About those contractor folks, just be (or fake) confidence. Your money is as green as the next customer's. Ask any and many questions, because as the customer, you have a right to know what you are paying for.
I'm thinking Pachick and the Pear sounds like a children's picture book!
@Darlene, like James and the Giant Peach. But this would be the Pear and the Giant Pachick.
@JDinNM, thanks for the laugh!
@A. Marie, very proud of you.
Congrats to Lisey! It is so hard to let them go but you know you did a great job with them when they have big plans for their life!
Thankful for-
Sunshine this am, getting kind of sick of the cold rain. But it's not snow so yay.
For my brothers who are doing so much work getting dads house cleaned out. So.much.junk.
My kids FaceTime calls. I could hear one of the grands in the background yelling I have to show Grandma my new Lego set! They were pink.
Thankful I kept all my Legos. I have buckets of them. The grands love the figures.
That I am able to flex my time for work. 1 month post Covid I am struggling with chronic fatigue.
I love this! I especially love seeing the closeness you share with your grown girls. I have three younger children and I pray that I share the closeness with my three children as we transition into all the different stages of their development. While I am close with my Dad, things with my mom are bumpy and full of baggage. I long for a connectedness with my two boys and daughter. Seeing other moms walk this out is so hugely encouraging and instructive. I especially love how you delight in their uniqueness. I think I am a hard line drawer, if that makes sense, and I am so very appreciative of the examples modeled for me in parents like you who stick to important things but find ways to delight in the differences.
I'm thankful for the rain and cool weather! I'm sorry. The 80s and 90s we had in April were frustrating for me because I am trying to grow snap peas and butter lettuce and kale and swiss chard and they MUCH prefer these cooler rainy temps we've been having (we often have similar weather as I'm slightly below you in Central VA).
I'm thankful for homeschooling. My kids are getting older and I signed us up for another homeschool co-op. This means things are ramping up a bit as we exit the very young years. But I still have lots of quality time with them since we are homeschooling.
I'm thankful for homeschooling mom friends. I prayed for years for them, so I don't take them for granted. They are a gift.
I'm thankful for my husband who is unfailingly supportive of my passions and callings, yet wise and measured in ways that balance my "all-or-nothing" personality. He also does the dishes and cleans the bathrooms simply because he knows I dislike these chores the most.
As I always am year round, but especially now, I am so very thankful for gardening and growing things. It's my happy place.
A nasty head cold and some heavy parenting issues have made this week extra tough. But I can think of 4 (unrelated) highlights for which I am thankful. I have to start work now, so I'll just leave it at that. Thanks for the weekly reminder to exercise thankfulness! 🙂
Hugs on the parenting. Sometimes toddlers look so easy in retrospect, don't they?
@Kristen, If only the hardest parenting was potty training.
@Rose, During this difficult parenting years, I often remembered my mother’s words: “when they are little, they step on your toes; when they are teenagers, they step on your heart”.
First off, bosses like Lisey had are hard to come by. And the fact that he made such an impression will help her throughout her life. Good for him for being such a great boss.
Thankful that we made the long trek to NY/LI for my husband's birthday last week, only to have the baseball game postponed because of all the rain. We were very lucky to drive both ways in the rain and arrive safely at both destinations.
Thankful that we got to spend some time with my sister, her son and his new wife. We were all going to go to the ball game, but had a nice dinner and played some cards afterwards instead. We miss them and don't get enough time with them.
Thankful that I am getting ready for a procedure tomorrow. Took 6 months to get an appt to see the MD, and another 4 months to book the procedure. Simple, routine, but one of those has-to-be-done procedures for us older folks. **Sigh**
Thankful that I am moving to a new team at work, starting on Monday. And the best part, I will still have my same manager! I am a little bored at my current position, but love my manager, so when the opportunity came up, she was shocked that I wanted to move. I explained that I probably would not do it if it meant losing her.
Thankful that my daughter will graduate next week with another degree. She has been going to night school for the past 2 years for an education administration degree and it has paid off. She already has a new job! Now if they would pay for her education for a Ph.D. she'd be all set; but its not in the cards! LOL
I love today's list. That is all. 🙂
We need more Steves and Donnas in the world. Thank goodness there are human angels all around us.
I love the stories about Pachick! Seeing him all squished up and ready for his trip to Hawaii made me laugh.
So awesome that Jana did a painting of the perfect pair. I love this community!
I'm thankful:
- for our dog. She has more energy than any animal I've ever seen but she makes me be active with her and she's kept me company this week while DH is out of town
- that DH is coming home from his business trip early. He's been really sick all week so I will be glad for him to get home so I can take care of him and he can go see the doctor
- that our check to the IRS finally cleared. We had issues filing with TurboTax so I mailed in the return and was getting nervous that something went wrong since they hadn't cashed the check yet.
- that the weird noise my car started making on Sunday disappeared as quickly as it came about.
- that our son got registered for summer classes and that he's excited to go back to school
- that I got almost the plants I bought last weekend planted and they are all alive and doing well. One little jalapeño plant got knocked over and all the dirt fell out of the pot but I didn't notice until it was too late to save it. Glad it only cost $1.
@Beverly, I love this community too. I keep trying to learn who people are. There are so many!
Numero Uno (because Kristen is learning Spanish): Some more Lisey stories! Especially Pachick. He reminds me of an enormous ginormous black and white stuffed panda my paternal grandparents gave me one Christmas when I must have been about 5. They drove up to our house with a big box of toys and Tim (I named him Tim, no idea why) was on top of the open box and my mouth dropped open and my grandmother asked “Do you like him?” and I was so speechless I just nodded and then squeaked out “Who is he for? (bear in mind that I was the youngest child and the others were teenagers) and Grandma said, “He’s for you!” Best. Christmas. Ever. That’s the year I also got my Annie Oakley cowgirl outfit and also a fake ermine stole that I wore with it. Somewhere there’s a picture …
Numero Dos: Kristen was so gobsmacked (isn’t that a wonderful word? I stuck it in here for A. Marie and Rose) a few weeks ago when I said I was thankful for my Nextdoor feed that I thought I would share a recent exchange:
Tom: “This post doesn’t have any car break ins, unleashed dogs, reckless driving, bad food, solar power salesmen, or bad teen behavior. Just a post to say have yourself an amazing day!”
Response: “Are you sure you didn’t see someone on your Ring camera?”
Tom: “Nope. I did get a hummingbird though.”
Response: “Great post, Tom, but you missed commenting on the wild horses!”
Tom: “Dammit, I knew I forgot something.”
[Actually, we do have herds of wild horses. Some people love them, others not so much, but they are a never-ending source of posts on Nextdoor.]
Numero Tres: Tom is right - the hummingbirds ARE back! Always so delightful. Although they can be a little vicious with one another.
Numero Cuatro: A week from tomorrow is our Village’s regularly scheduled Coffee With A Cop with “great coffee, pastries and conversation!” at a new farmstand that’s recently opened. We always rank as the safest place to live in the entire State, and our Police Department is a big reason why. (Well, that and a lack of through streets and our 15-25 mph speed limits.) The only home invasions I’ve experienced are roadrunners wandering into the house from the garden through open doors. I found one of them perched on the back of a dining room chair one Sunday morning; I think he was expecting brunch.
Numero Cinco: Had an unexpectedly delightful email exchange with the paralegal who is coordinating an arbitration proceeding for me. Somewhere between complaining about the lawyers and comparing dealing with them to herding cats (an insult to cats everywhere) we got off on an exchange about cats and dogs and she started sending me photos of her late great Labrador (Holly Golightly!) with those eyes that will melt your heart … Just one of those human interactions that can rescue an otherwise frustrating afternoon and leave you with a smile on your face and a song in your heart. I need more of those. Maybe we all need more of those.
@JDinNM, love your home invasion story. (Just saw yet another video of a really big crocodile wandering around a neighborhood in Florida. Be glad you don't live THERE.)
@JDinNM, I moved to New Mexico when I was 9. It wasn't until I was maybe 12 or 13 that I figured out that a roadrunner was the little bird I saw flittering all over our backyard, and not a huge human sized bird like the one in Loony Toons. Man, kids are dumb. Or maybe it's just me.
@JDinNM, I'm gobsmacked that you remembered me and Rose in connection with "gobsmacked." And I wish I had folks on my Nextdoor feed like the ones you quoted from yours. I plan to post a notice of our upcoming street-wide garage sale on Nextdoor, although I'm a bit apprehensive about the bats this may bring out of the belfry.
@Anne, much prefer the Road Runners! I'll add that to the Thankful list: no crocodiles!
@CrunchyCake, and they don't go Meep Meep! When they run around. Which is kinda disappointing. But we also have coyotes, so somewhat like the cartoon...
@CrunchyCake, I’m a senior, and you can tell I’ve never seen a roadrunner, because I still thought, until this minute, that they were big! Maybe not human size, but 3 or 4 feet tall! Lol! Actually I may have seen roadrunners when in TX, NM, AZ, but I just didn’t think it would be little bird! Meep meep!
@Jenny, They are biggish birds. But not like Big Bird from Sesame Street big. Think big chickens. That run really fast.
What a happy list!
Steve sounds like a really good guy and an awesome boss. My DH had some questionable bosses over the years, but his final boss was a good one; the kind who drives across the state to visit DH at the nursing home.
1. I'm thankful that my experience with the Stephen Ministry convinced my sister to reach out to the Stephen Ministry in her area. She just started meeting with her "minister" and really likes this woman. My sister's husband is struggling with Parkinson's and its related dementia and her caregiving duties are starting to get really heavy.
2. I'm thankful for the cooler air we've had in the mornings this week. I'll take mid-50's at 5:30 a.m. over mid-70's at that time, any day!
3. I'm thankful that hanging laundry outside right now is pure pleasure. It won't be for long, but I'm enjoying this current phase.
4. I'm thankful that both of my teen granddaughters have part time jobs that have taught them a lot about the value of money, and that both have displayed a work ethic that makes them valued employees.
5. I'm thankful that one of my daughters is being sent to Norway this summer for a business meeting, and that she is allowed to take her teen daughter with her (at her expense, of course, and I'm also thankful she can afford that). Also, that my daughter, granddaughter, and the three other co-workers attending the meeting will stay an extra couple of days and explore the country a little via train and feet.
@JD,
Oh, wait! I meant to say, I LOVE THE PEAR PAINTING!
@JD, aw shucks, thank you. It was fun to paint something small and straightforward, because I am working on a large and difficult commission right now.
I've heard of the Stephen Ministry. . . sounds so comforting and supportive.
@JD, Thanks for the Stephen Ministry mention. I am one of them and find it very rewarding. For newbies, it is a ministry training for lay people designed to help lighten the load of fully ordained pastors. Under careful supervision, Stephen Ministers offer a friendly listening ear to anyone who wants one. There is no proselytization or membership requirement, nor is there any cost to participants. The most critical part of our training is probably helping to identify whether a person needs official professional counseling, which is over our heads.
@Kristina,
Thank you for being a Stephen Minister! The compassion from these people is amazing and I was helped through one of the most stressful periods of my life by a wonderful lady.
@JD, re: your #1, I send my sympathy to your sister and her husband. The late husband of my next-door neighbor had Parkinson's plus its dementia, and he had some really bad times with the dementia before he passed away in 2004. DH and I had to help get him out of a couple of weird episodes. (In retrospect, this was sort of an introduction for me of what was to come with DH, although DH has Alzheimer's rather than Parkinson's.)
@JD, It really is a special joy to have learned how wonderful it is to keep my mouth shut. I completed two years of training and was commissioned a Stephen Minister in the summer of 1991, and it has enriched my life many times in all these years. If you have a chance to do it, I encourage you, as it has improved my own life, and my relationships, and my faith as well. A long answer, you're welcome!
I am thankful for this list you just made, Kristen. None of those things are material or costly - well, I guess the rain jacket is a thing - but just things that when looked at in the right frame of mind, can bring such gratitude. A reminder to try to see the many things we have to be grateful for.
Lisey is a kick, Steve is a gem, California artist took that photo and ran with it, it's lovely, Donna is a terrific neighbor, love everything about this post.
@Carolyn, thanks for the description. It did feel as if I was running with it. I love today's list (and not just because of my painting)!
Flat Pachick made me smile today - here's hoping he bounces back, once he's unpacked!
1) So happy that both of my teens received contracts for their summer jobs. My 17 y.o. was offered a head coach role (they are working at summer camps), which is additional responsibility & weeks to work, but I think will be good for him. He matured a lot last summer, working there.
2) Based on #1, I can finalize our summer plans, as I know which weeks they will be working.
3) That we have a reasonably mellow weekend ahead. Some weekends are filled with teen activities. This one is only half filled 😉
4) For prepped food. I'm always grateful for this. We have taco meat & kebabs/rice in the fridge, plus a few meal delivery options. I love having options.
5) For a flexible job. We moved from 4 days/week in person to 3, after COVID. That extra day makes all of the difference.
Lisey can chronicle the adventures of “Flat Pachick” - hilarious! I hope she videos his “re-inflation” as that could be equally gut-busting. She’s quite a gal & her zest for life has to be a source of encouragement for you all.
Ooh yes, I will ask her to record it when she breaks the seal in Hawaii!
I know it took a long time for you to find your new place and there were many disappointments along the way. But there are SO many examples of how you landed exactly where you belong. Donna, wooded paths, lovely bedroom ….
Oh, for sure! I have had that thought so many times over this last year. This house was perfect for me, but I just didn't know it at the time!
Having a mentor is the best! Props to Steve for being such a good soul in Lisey’s life! I hope when you’re a new nurse someone comes alongside you too. I’ve had some complaints from newly minted nurses that the older nurses like to sometimes eat their young. I always tell my 20 something year old kids to remember the people that took the time to help them in a new job or replied back promptly to their job applications. They can take that kindness with them and return it as they manage young workers later in life.
This week I am thankful for time to rest. Last week at work was nothing short of a whirlwind (a planned, wonderful whirlwind). This week is nice and slow and nothing is needed right now. A light week is very appreciated.
We had a lovely double date night with another couple. We went out for dinner and a touring Broadway show. They are one of my favorite couples to spend time with so it was a great way to end nine days of business.
The weather has been so nice I’ve been able to keep the windows in the house open all day and night. After a long winter, airing out the house feels good.
I’ve had a good run of books that have made me excited to read every day.
I made the first batch of iced coffee of 2023!
My son’s old team invited him to play in a couple games with them this summer. He really loves his old team and is excited to help them out. He had a game with them last night and made sure to say hello to each player as they met on the field.
Yesterday on a walk I saw buds on trees, ferns unfurling, and a few wild flowers. Spring is finally here and I couldn’t be happier.
I love that Pachick feels free to air his political views even if they are different from Lisey's. Love the picture of the pear.
@Anne, thank you! And I also loved the idea of Lisey and Pachick arguing over politics.
Yes, he's rather bold about his extreme views. 😉 But Lisey is always up for a debate with him.
Just wanted to share that I also laughed out loud when I saw flat Patchick! (Flatchick?!)
I am thankful for laughter and coffee and sleeping through the night whenever it happens!
@Ronni,
Darn it! I was gonna be all clever and say:
More like Flatchick...amiright?
But you beat me to it. Good one. 😉
I'm thankful for the Steves and the Donnas in our lives. I must say they're easier to find on the East Coast than on the West ( I lived on both coasts long enough to notice that).
Jana’s pear is beautiful!! So realistic!
I’ve painted three different impressionistic renditions of your pear, Kristen. Your leaf photos have also inspired my painting. I’m out of practice in painting water droplets but I’ll keep trying.
Pachick is adorable!!!
I’m thankful to have gotten through the final portion of a dental procedure for a crown ( finished yesterday).
I’m thankful for a recent gathering with two of my sisters and a cousin. We had so much joyful conversation!
I’m glad my husband and I have been moving forward in bringing some order to our home through organizing and downsizing. Having more open space and empty surfaces helps both of us feel more calm for some reason.
I’m so glad my husband’s new job is going well and keeping him challenged in a number of ways. We’re grateful God provided this line of work for him to finish out the next few years before retirement.
As always, I’m thankful for our pup, Wally, and his antics that bring us so much joy. I’m thankful for good health, dependable cars, strong friendships, fun dancing events, coffee , salad, and today’s sunshine.
@Martha, send your impressionistic renditions of the pear to Kristen. That is a style of painting I don't understand, so I'd love to see them. Always wanting to learn. . .
Thankful for...
- the non-familial adults in our lives who help reflect back to our children the biggest and brightest and best parts of themselves, in ways that only non-family can. Also thankful for familial adults who do this.
- the pause in the rain. Seriously.
- the end of the semester
- a thoughtful and engaging blog to start my days
- cupcakes
Beautiful painting!! Steve is awesome; he stepped up when she needed him and will be a lifelong friend.
I'm so thankful for our foster son and his wife (my daughter-in-love). I bought two more raised garden beds (#s 12 and 13!) and Charles went and got a load of garden bed soil dumped into his truck and brought it over for me. His wife, Alia, is one of my best friends and is always ready to help us with anything. They helped us when we had soil and gravel dumped in our driveway to fill the other beds, too.
I'm thankful for warmer weather; my veggies and my roses are growing beautifully now.
I'm thankful for my wonderful husband. He loves that I'm growing all our veggies and has helped with getting the raised garden beds put together and filled with soil and getting the crushed granite spread so I'm not walking on mud and grass anymore.
I'm thankful for a new vet for my Westie and Havanese girls. He found hip dysplasia in my Westie that I long suspected. He is wonderful, caring and we really like him.
@Viktoria M Sacker, thank you for liking the painting. Your gardening developments sound fabulous.
Pachik in the front seat cracked me up sooooo! I know you are so proud of Lisey. I am and she's not even mine. 🙂
**I'm thankful my husband realized we don't need a riding lawnmower and exchanged it for a walk behind. It helped as "discussions" were soon to follow.
**we are able to afford the plane tickets to California to see my son and his wife
**that we were able to sell or house to pay off the loan, and for the new house we bought
@Joyce, **sell our house....
I was reading the word as "paychick" and I thought you were going to tell us about a new app geared towards women and money. LOL
@Mary in VA, Hah! Oh, wait a minute ... Maybe that could be another income stream for Kristen.
Flat Pachick, the pear, a Steve and a Donna, a kitty, new spring green, wonder full memories to keep. Thanks
Instead of using money to improve the house I'm leaving, I can put it into the house I'm moving into.
See, I sold my current house while living in it and as-is, so I didn't need to paint it, or add closets, or install new flooring in place of worn-out linoleum or stained wall-to-wall, or replace incongruous backsplash tiling, or anything else. So I can do the wants as well as needs in my new home, such as repainting because I don't like the yellowish-white and repurposing the gorgeous but hard to maintain wood countertop on the island (it may become a bedstead). Since I'm hiring it rather than doing it myself, the extra budget room is lovely.
2023 Me is ~very~ grateful to all the Past Mes who maintained my current house well and did all the improvements/fixes promptly so 2023 Me didn't need to replace the roof, install any new appliances, fix any leaks, or anything else in order to sell my house.
That I know enough about scratch cooking to use up what I have.
That I'm organized enough to keep mostly on top of the delicate, urgent balancing act that has been my life for the past couple of years. I have good executive functioning skills and I've needed all of them.
For my parents, who modeled highly effective executive functioning.
Loved your post so much shared it with my husband, so he too could enjoy all the uplifting things it included. So happy to be able to read your blog daily. You inspire this great grandma. Loved learning about Pacheck and your daughter’s adventures with him. She is a delight as are you. The wonderful neighbor and boss, so wonderful. We all need people like them! Loved the pear too. So much talent and gifts around us and especially love your positive, appreciative attitude Kristin.
Today's thankful list is wonderful. Kristen, thank you for showing my pear! Your photos, your cat, the fabulous people in your life, and Pachick just takes the cake. I am in awe of Lisey—creative, uninhibited, brave, smart, adventuresome, focused, determined, fully herself. Kind of cracked me up that such a young looking man as Steve is described as a "father-figure"... great guy.
My list of thankfuls:
•Kristen's blog—I try to save it for a treat later in the day, but some days just can't wait
•Getting a beautiful gate installed today, RIGHT THIS MINUTE, at the bottom of our driveway!
•It is coldish and rainy today (perfect for the installer to weld on the new gate)
•A friend taught me how to start growing sweet potatoes (my gardening efforts are the continual triumph of hope over experience)
•The current oil painting commission is coming together (no easy photo to work from on this one)
@Central Calif. Artist,
Young looking man? Where? Am I missing a picture somewhere? Thanks for clarifying! ☺
@st, oh-oh, was that Lisey kneeling by a tire, wearing a mask? Her hair wasn't blue and her face didn't show! Well, phooey, I think my face must be red!
Maybe it was! Kristen, could you perhaps please clarify? Thanks! ☺
It's Lisey! You can never recognize her from her hair color because it is ALWAYS changing.
Her boss Steve is older than me and is over six feet tall, with a buzzed head. lol
Ok, I involuntarily laughed out loud at the smooshed down Pachick (and I smiled at his name). You don't realize the magnitude of his size until the picture of him buckled into the car! I love that she figured out a way to take him on her next adventure. Seeing young birds fly for the first time makes me feel young for a second so thanks for sharing (and thanks to Lisey for being ok with you sharing!).
I'm thankful that the results from my physical have so far been pretty good. I have a mammogram left so fingers crossed, that comes back all clear. I'm also thankful for my cozy bed this morning - it was raining (hard!) at around 5 am and I could just stay under the covers and avoid it all for a little while longer. That feels like a luxury to me. I'm thankful my husband gave a show that I wanted to watch a chance. The two of us haven't watched a whole TV series together in a while so I'm glad he's enjoying it (I watched the first two seasons a while back so I'm rewatching it with him and I'm loving it too).
Also, Central California Artist - wow. You are so talented!
@CrunchyCake, that's kind of you. Mostly I can paint because I am oldish and keep practicing my craft.
I hadn’t been keeping up with pearls ragdolls and checked it out and nymeria has 6 new kittens and summer has 4 almost new kittens. So cute.
1. I leave for vacation with just my husband and son in 36 hours. First one in 3.5 years and I am so blissfully excited for the time to just enjoy my two that I cannot put it into words.
2. Provision. It may not be a fancy trip....we will cook meals at home, bring along snacks, and enjoy simple things like the beach and pool provided but goodness I am so very grateful for it all.
3. For medicine to treat an issue that I have been suffering through for several months now. What a blessing it is to have access to good doctors.
4. For all the sunshine we have had as of late combined with high blue skies and the most delightful breeze.
5. For easy meals and a family who doesn't mind easy meals. Crockpot and leftovers I am looking at you both.
Happy Thursday!
Kristen, this was so much fun to read. I think that maybe Lisey is part of my family. We have a lot of quirkiness in our home, including stuffed animals with distinct personalities. My personal favorite is Chuck, a jackalope that we got my daughter in Wyoming several years ago. That's a story for another day. 🙂
Add me to the list of people who love the pear painting, and who think that boss-Steve is a wonderful person.
I know you think you have the best cat ever .... but my cat wins the prize this week. He's been ill lately and is on steroids, which have significantly improved his appetite and activity level. This was very timely, as, between us, we caught and killed 5 baby mice in my basement on Monday. (My husband thinks he inadvertently brought mice in on something that had been stored outside and was moved inside). Oh.my.goodness. What a day. There were many high adrenaline moments, including when I went upstairs to get a broom and dustpan for removal of said critters and Max Cat came up with me, carrying a still-alive mouse in his mouth. Yikes. He caught another one later that night, and my husband caught 2 adults in traps that night. I'm hoping we are a mouse-free zone now. All to say, I'm very thankful for my cat's health and his unexpected ability to help with mouse management.
Thankful my son is home from college for a week before he starts his summer internship. It's strange to not have him home all summer, but I'm proud of his continued growth and maturity.
Thankful my daughter was pleased with her SAT scores and that she is figuring out what she might be interested in doing for a career.
Thankful that spring is returning after a foray into winter-like weather.
This post made me smile so many times! Thank goodness for the mentors and father figures and mother figures and aunt figures in our lives who are there when we need them.
I'm sure I'm only one of many readers who are excited for Lisey's next adventure! It is none of my business, but I am so curious to learn about the finances of a move like this--how much does it cost to ship a car?! How difficult is it to find housing from thousands of miles away in a place like Hawaii?
Today I am feeling grateful:
For my child's therapists. I still feel so wholy unequal to raising a child with special needs. I am most comfortable selecting and coordinating the people who are better equipped to support her, so I lean into that.
For our upcoming anniversary trip. It's only three days, but the level of planning that had to take place to make this trip happen and happen child-free was on another level. It is going to be worth every little bit of effort.
For hot tea and not putting away my wool socks yet. I will take temperatures in the 40s and 50s in February, but in May I am ready for 75 degrees. Don't do me like this mother nature!
The final picture of Pachick made me laugh, too! So funny.
Jana - you did a beautiful job! Thank you for sharing with us!
This week I'm thankful:
* that after a long stretch of gross weather, it has turned nice and should stay nice for the next week
* that I was able to clean my van in the nice weather before we give a friend a ride tomorrow
* for friends that are willing to help watch my 4yo during a school day so I can go to third grade camp with my 9yo for a few days
* for my sweet neighbors who are so gracious and kind to my kids. They recently purchased dwarf- size fruit trees to put near our property line so my kids can join them in picking fruit and when the man asked the woman why she was getting 4 blueberry bushes instead of 2 she responded with, "we need more for the kids!"
* for the other moms in my church community. I get to be friends with some pretty amazing ladies!
@Ruth T, it seems as if I get so much from this blog that I wanted to do something in return.
I don't even know Pachick in real life and I love him! I'm thankful for the stories about him today that made me smile (he doesn't share Lisey's political views, hahahaha).
It has been nearly 2 year since my mom passed away, and her estate just closed. My dad's estate closed 2 years and 5 months after he passed away. The pain associated with these processes has strengthened me and toughened me a bit, which is my silver lining. I am thankful that they are over (well, it will really be over for me when I receive the final dispersement in a few days), which helps me move to the next phase of healing.
This week I'm also thankful that my ankle and foot are still healing. Healing isn't happening in a straight line, but I'm glad that it is actually happening and that I can take small walks now. I'm also thankful for the body that God gave me, which has carried me through so much.
I just finished my first handmade shirt, for which I am really thankful. I felt like quitting a lot, but I sternly told myself that learning comes with mistakes, and I kept going. So glad I did. Am I looking forward to the process of making more shirts? Nope. But I will be super glad I did when they're done!
Lisey's MOVING to Hawaii???!!! How did I miss that? (I read every post, I swear hahaha).
I would be afraid Pachick wouldn't reinflate after I compressed him!
I think you should do a Lisey themed thankful Thursday post once she's moved, all the things you love most about her, if you're happy to share those things. All your girls seem such beautiful human beings and I love hearing about the little moments of fun you have together.
I am thankful for a good doctor appointment this morning. The baby still has a heart beat (despite my fears) and the early round of tests show no issues.
I am thankful for rain! Now my clay soil will be soft enough to pull out some of those weeds.
I am thankful that someone offered the stroller we wanted for free! (And it's not pink.)
I am thankful that my sycamore tree is so beautiful and green and right outside my office window.
I'm thankful that my husband was able to get time off to go to the appointment with me.
I'm thankful that I found a free irrigation seminar this weekend that just happens to be at the demonstration garden I wanted to visit.
@Rebekah in SoCal, rejoicing with you in the wonderful baby news and praying as you go forward. There is nothing quite like the mama heart rest that comes from hearing that sweet shush-shush heartbeat sound during an ultrasound. Grateful with you and praying for a smooth, uneventful pregnancy and delivery. Congratulations!
Rebekah, I am also so happy for you. Yay!
The Pachick! Thanks for the laugh.
After a very long, wet winter, I'm thankful for warmer weather and sunshine. Going outside, I feel like I've been liberated! This time of year my yard is overwhelmingly green. That includes the weeds because they're small and not quite so noticeable. I have a large yard and in one section there is a certain weed that self-propagates (arg!) and grows from a tiny plant to 2-feet tall with lovely white, fragrant flowers in about a two-month time span. Then they begin to turn brown and are no longer lovely. I have not been able to beat them to the end growth period, but I have to say, I enjoy their beauty - for a while.
Not me sitting here getting all emotional over Kristen's thankful thoughts. Just so much sweetness and thoughtfulness.
I am thankful for spring flowers. Especially the rogue tulips and crocus that pop up in my yard, planted years and years ago by former inhabitants of my place. And for the tulips I see growing out of a mound of construction dirt on my way to work. Who thought to plant those last fall?
I am grateful for my view of the Sierra Mountains outside my office window. For some reason, although I have always loved the view, I never thought before now to express how thankful I am for it.
For water. Although this has been the "worst" winter on record in my area, I will take snow and water over drought any year.
For all the good moments, to small to mention, that together add up to something like happiness.
@Lorraine, are you on the east side of the Sierra?
Steve sounds like a gem!
I hope Pachick recovers well from his liposuction.
I would've never described new pine as feeling like silicone but it's so true! (Makes me wonder why I never thought of it that way.)
Kristen, your whole post was filled with joy and light. What a wonderful thing to read.
Today I am thankful for somehow landing with a wonderful physical therapist, for figuring out a way to get my grieving dog to eat, and for a collaborative effort between myself and my husband to DIY a birdbath this morning that the birds were splashing in by late afternoon.
I’m thankful this week for Jeff at Ace Hardware who helped me and went above and beyond.
What happened is I went to the DMV to renew my car tabs and they gave me new license plates to put on. Well, the problem was the back plate’s screws were rusted on my car and I could not remove the old plate. I tried to get them off but I wasn’t strong enough. Living alone definitely has its downsides :(. But I know from experience sometimes at o’Reilly and some other stores they will help you. So I took a chance and Jeff came out with a power drill and that didn’t even work so finally with a vice grip tool he was able to get them out and then he helped me pick out and purchase stainless steel screws to prevent this from happing again. So thank you again Jeff I’m so grateful for your help and that there are wonderful people in this world!
Thankful for an easier night at work after a long stretch of stressful nights.
Thankful for days warm enough to line dry clothes and eat dinner outside.
Thankful my family are not picky eaters. I love cooking all different kinds of things and I would find it really boring to have to cook the same plain things over and over. Also they are starting to accept spicier food without complaint. I put gochujang in the crab stuffing for our onigiri and they didn’t even complain they just ate a bunch! Woo hoo!
My thankful this Thursday:
For the amazing full moon tonight.
For beautiful alto parts in my choir, something we altos don't take for granted!
For our very young choir director who has so much music ahead of him.
For my DH of nearly 45 years, who is so supportive.
For antihistamines in this spring of hay fever.
Oh My Word! Pachick. Poor chick, hahaha. Thanks for the story and laugh! She could make her own blog/instagram of the adventures with the chick.
Thanks for sharing. One thing I was not prepared for when I became a parent is how special and wonderful it is when another caring adult takes an interest your child and loves them.
So heart-warming, right?
@Kristen Wonderful post, as always! Thank you! I must have missed what Lisey is up to—she’s moving to Hawaii? Very exciting!
Yep! She graduated as an aviation mechanic and she's moving to Hawaii to work on planes there. 🙂
My kiddo is moving to Japan next month for school, and we are starting to pack. Do you recommend any specific brand of vacuum bags? I’ve seen such a wide array of pricing that I have purchased any yet.
Pachick all squished down is making me laugh so hard!!!!
I also had a realization today about someone in my daughter's life that I'm thankful for ... the barn owner where she horseback rides truly understands her to the fullest. I mean, she has watched her grow up over the last 7ish years while she has been riding at her barn, but she said something to me via text today that just made me go "Wow! She does know her!" ...and then it promptly made me very teary (and still is as evidenced by my tears typing this) because as parents that's one of the things we want for our children - to be seen and appreciated by others for who they are.
Yes! That is just how I feel about Lisey's boss Steve!
What a lovely post. Steve sounds like a keeper. Perhaps she can vacuum seal him and take him along, too! That chick is enormous. Seeing him in the car really shows just how large he is and look forward to hearing about his sand and surf adventures.
What is your cat's name? Is Lisey taking her to Hawaii as well and, if so, will you get another cat? IIRC, you originally got her for Lisey.
Funny you should say that about your room feeling like a hotel. Just the other day I went digging through past posts to find photos of your room as I am redoing mine and yours came to mind as inspiration for a very relaxing oasis.
Hahah about vacuum-sealing Steve! I feel like perhaps he would not reinflate as well as Pachick will.
Our cat is named Shelley, and yes, she was technically Lisey's cat. But she's gonna stay here with Zoe and me; I think she would die of stress if we tried to move her to Hawaii!
@Kristen, Thanks for your reply! I'm sure Lisey will miss her (and all of you!) though she will be busy setting up her life with this amazing opportunity she created for herself. I'm excited for her!