Thankful Thursday | Mental health: done!
This week, I am thankful:
that I'm halfway through my semester!
I had my cumulative final for my mental health/med surg class yesterday so that accelerated 8-week course is DONE.
And starting on Monday, I move on to an accelerated 8-week pediatrics course.
I realize the title of this post could sound like I'm saying my own mental health is done for. Ha.
This was a hard class and it did take a lot out of me, but thankfully my mental health is largely intact. 😉
that I'm more excited about pediatrics as a topic
In semester two, I had a med surg class and a women's health class. I much preferred the women's health, because it was pregnancy, labor, delivery, and all of that. That was much more my wheelhouse than med-surg.
And I feel the same about this semester; pediatrics is probably gonna be more my jam than mental health/med-surg.
So, yay!
that my friend gave me a pediatrics NCLEX book
My 20-year-old classmate and friend just finished peds and is doing mental health next.
So, I offered to give her my mental health textbook, and when I gave it to her yesterday, she handed me a pediatrics book full of NCLEX questions.
SWEET.
So now I have some supplemental study material for pediatrics.
that my other classmate gave me a little badge clip
We have been studying together lots this past week (she's Lisey's age and calls me her school mom. Ha.) and she brought me this clip for my hospital badge.
Of course, I love what it says because being kind is always my goal, no matter where I am (and that includes at the hospital with patients.)
that Martti exists
In my last week of med-surg clinicals, I had a patient who spoke only Vietnamese.
I speak exactly no Vietnamese, so this was a problem.
One day, his grandson was there to help out, but another time, I used the Martti app on the hospital iPad and it was AMAZING.
A live person who knows both Vietnamese and English popped up on camera and helped us through the process of giving my patient his meds. I was able to explain what they were for, and when he was confused about something, I was able to explain the reason he needed to keep taking the meds.
You can also get an ASL interpreter on there, so it's not even just for spoken languages.
It is such a super cool service and I am for sure going to take advantage of this service in the future when I have a patient who is not an English speaker!
that I have a couple of days to breathe between classes
I work a 12-hour shift tomorrow at the hospital, but then I have Friday, Saturday, and Sunday off of school before pediatrics starts on Monday. Yay!!!
I was making dinner last night, and normally I'd be listening to textbook chapters or podcasts on relevant topics. But I just listened to music on my earbuds because I have no class right now. 🙂
that my flu shot and TDAP are accepted
We have to upload our vaccinations and such into an app for school, and they initially rejected the TDAP that I just got. But I reuploaded it and now I'm all 100% compliant again. Whew.
Any issues with this would have delayed my approval for starting pediatrics clinicals so I'm glad to be in good shape now.
that we don't have to wait a LONG time for grades
I took my final yesterday, and probably I will have my grade this morning. Unfortunately, I will be working at the hospital so I will have to wait until break time to see my results.
I am always on pins and needles waiting for my grades, so I am grateful it's usually less than a 24 hour wait.
I didn't need a very high grade to pass, so I'm not terribly stressed. But still, I will feel better once I know for sure what my score was!
Congrats on finishing the mental health course! Hopefully the be kind badge holder will be a good reminder to the patients too 🙂
I’m thankful:
-I won my trial yesterday at work. I never thought I would be in court when I went to law school but turns out I like it. Working for local government I also feel some purpose to all the hard work
-that I get to chaperone my four year olds first field trip to the pumpkin patch. The weather is supposed to be gorgeous and I’m thankful for a job that has flexibility to allow it
-my mom visited from Florida this weekend and I’m thankful for the chance to see her and that they got through the recent hurricane with minimal issues
-my husband planned a picnic for my birthday this weekend with friends. I don’t want a big to do, but relaxing in the park, enjoying the weather and the price point (free to picnic and everyone bringing their own snacks) is right up my frugal lane
Guess I’m just brimming with gratitude today!
@AFVirginia, Happy birthday! 🙂
I'm glad your mom made it through hurricanes safely.
@AFVirginia,
Woo-hoo! You won the case! Perry Mason has nothing on you, gal!
Happy birthday, happy pumpkin patch day and happy picnic in the park day. And I am glad your mom got to visit (so hopefully she didn't have to put up with a long time of power outages) and even happier that she didn't lose her house or anything. Wish everyone in Hurricaneland could've been that lucky.
Congrats on your progress!
I am thankful that we have a warm house on these cool days. I would not do well with a lack of heat.
I am thankful that when a person was discovered 30 feet down in a well in our neighborhood yesterday (about 5 blocks from our house) that a gazillion rescue units responded to the call and the person was rescued in less than an hour. Who knew that a Volunteer Fire Company in the county has a specialized Confined Space Team? I saw pictures online and I can't see that anything other than sod was covering the well. Our neighborhood was built in the 1950s so the well must have been from an earlier time. Hopefully the person will be okay, he is reported to have suffered serious but non life threatening injuries.
I am thankful for potable water. I know the Asheville area is still struggling with that and I hope the issue is resolved soon for all those dealing with that.
I am thankful that I am a bit of an over buyer. Last week some friends were telling me that there was no toilet paper to be found at Costco or Sam's Club due to panic over the dockworkers strike (that only lasted a couple of days this time). I buy toilet paper when it on sale and I don't think we ever get low. Not hoarding but a bit of over buying.
I am thankful busy, but not too busy, days and evenings.
@K D,
I made my monthly trip to Costco two weeks ago. I was low on TP, so it was on my list. There was none to be found. I always find this a bit disconcerting after experiencing the 2020 shortages. I then decided that I better find toilet paper quickly. However, I did not over buy.
@K D, I find it funny that people are hoarding TP due to the dockworkers strike...most all the TP we use in the US is made here in the US! Is it possible people are buying a lot and donating it to areas like Western NC?
@Karen A.,
Maybe. I have seen a few local drives for supplies for people there but did not see toilet paper on the lists of wanted items. We are 500+ miles from Asheville.
Chiquita es muy curiosa, ella merece un lugar en el salón de clases 🙂
@K T, Easy for you to say! (Where's my Martti app?)
@JDinNM, and all the English speakers,
Per google translation, "Little girl is very curious, she deserves a place in the classroom"
@Fru-gal Lisa, Muchas gracias!
I am thankful for time spent with a former work colleague/friend who is caregiving for a difficult family member and also navigating her own medical issues. We spent the day thrift shopping, had lunch at a small family owned restaurant where she could have delicious food within her dietary restrictions and then another friend gave her a reflexology session from which she emerged relaxed and refreshed. I did some fall gardening for my reflexology friend during the reflexology session.
I am most grateful to personally be free from caregiving duties after 5 months (for 7 years we have shared caregiving for a family member) of especially tough duty this past spring/summer/fall. I am so enjoying the flexibility of a free schedule.
I am grateful for the beautiful fall weather, the availability of inexpensive chrysanthemums, “pumpkin” gourds and marked down tulip bulbs.
I am grateful to be able to help friends displaced by hurricane damage with housing while they clean up. Grateful that while our cleanup is going to be time consuming and hard work, our house is still habitable.
@Jean C,
What a nice friend you are! I'm sure your hurricane friends are happy to have a house to be in, as opposed to a shelter. Also, I esp. like that you swapped out with the reflexology person, you doing the gardening while they helped your coworker friend. And so nice of you to treat her to a special day off. Like you, I had to be a family caregiver and it is absolutely grueling on your mind, body and spirit. May your marked down tulip bulbs bloom for you -- you deserve flowers for all you do!
@Fru-gal Lisa, oh thank you. Caregiving can be soul sucking at times - especially when it lasts years and seems endless. It can be both hard and easy at the same time. I feel like we have been on a caregiving journey for almost 15 years for a variety of family members.
WOW! Working in mental health is hard. A lot more people are hurting these days. Glad you learned about it and can move on. Hopefully you will do great with peds.
I am thankful for my husband. So glad I did not hear "I thought moving to another team was wrong" this week and he just listened to me. I am still looking for another job, though, as this one is really draining my mental health.
Thankful for the rain this week. WV was extremely dry over the summer and we've been getting rain so it is greening everything up and helping the leaves to turn pretty colors. I know it's not a lot of rain like the hurricane brought, but still it is needed in this neck of the woods. And so nice to see the pretty colors.
Thankful that the hubs is helping me with the firepit we are building. He has been doing the rototilling and I've been doing the placement of the free bricks we got and working on the tamping of the dirt, etc. And while I was doing that, he was also painting the front porch, so it looks really nice now. He also has been doing the heavy lifting of stuff. This weekend, we plan on completing the firepit and moving the rest of the wood from the dropped wood pile into the woodshed for winter.
Thankful that my husband started the woodstove the past couple of days. The dampness just made it so chilly in here. The animals are happy too.
Thankful I just heard from my daughter that they are back in the states. They went on a Disney cruise and did not buy the wi-fi package -- which is good because our granddaughter would be on it all the time and not enjoying the cruise. They had a great time and I am so glad they did. They plan on going back in 2 years. Our granddaughter can be overwhelmed at times and the cruise people handled it wonderfully.
Congrats on finishing that course!
Some of my thankfuls are school related as well:
1. I'm thankful my son took the class I'm taking, so I can ask him questions about the assignments--just to see if I'm on the right track. Different professors, but the same material pretty much.
2. Thankful I have a professor who welcomes questions from students; for one assignment we're supposed to go to the Public Health website and fill in a form...the directions on the form do not jibe with the current website, so I asked her about it. Apparently the website has been changed since they created the form, so she's going to look into it.
3. Thankful that a class team discussion that could have gotten contentious did not, and all it took was me holding my ground and offering proof from the textbook that I was right. 😉 But I did it in a kind way!
4. Thankful for the crisp lovely weather we're having (though Clark would like the windows open more, it's been chilly!), for the gorgeous full moon I got to see on the horizon this morning, and the beautiful changing leaves.
5. Thankful for a DH who keeps me grounded and makes me laugh. I was kind of grouching about an assignment, and he said, "Don't be ridiculous, you love school." And I had to laugh.
Your schooling seems to be flying by. How has it been 8 weeks already?
1 - Though as physically exhausting as it was (and continues to be to a lesser extent) I'm thankful that I had the physical ability and a reliable vehicle to move a number of car loads of boxes and miscellany to my new home rather than paying movers to move them.
2 - That my cat is settling in and is not in such a high state of constant anxiety and fear as she was when we first moved in. So many new sounds, smells, and sights. Poor kitty.
3 - That I've downsized and have a home that will require less maintenance and is less space to clean while still meeting all of my needs (previously I had far more space than I needed).
4 - That there is no major rush to get all of these boxes unpacked and everything put away. Yes, it will be nice when everything is in its place but it will all get done in good time.
5 - That sweater weather is here (well, some days are sweater suitable while others are still very warm). I love fall and am looking forward to making bone broth, soups, and chilis in the Crock Pot.
EXTRA - That the aurora borealis were so alive and visible over my part of Canada earlier this week.
Sometimes Gus (our cat) climbs on my lap and I put cat videoes on Youtube for him to watch. It's mostly birds, chimpunks etc. I find it relaxing and so does he.
Today I'm thankful about:
That our coonhound, who was throwing up blood last night (I think it was) seems mostly fine this morning. She's back to snarling at Jasper when he tries to cuddle with her. I considered driving her to the animal ER but it's 1.5 hours away and I was so, so tired.
That we have heat again. One night it was fine, hissing away, and the next night, nothing. Apparently I misprogrammed the digital thermostat. Feh, I liked the old round 1960s one better.
That I made my mother's recipe for gingerbread yesterday, which is absolutely delicious and easy, and tossed some whipped cream on it.
For embroidery. William Morris took up embroidery to calm his nerves and it calms my nerves too.
That it's almost the holidays. I want to celebrate the hell out of it after another another frantic year. Maybe life will calm down some.
@Rose, Chimpunks? Chimpanzees with mohawks and bondage trousers, I guess. My son had a mohawk until he was about 14. Gets old having to shave the sides of your son's head.
@Rose, ooo gingerbread. That sounds very good and festive.
@Andrea G / Midwest Andrea, Easy, fast, and you probably have everything except maybe molasses. I believe this recipe dates to the 1870s originally but this recipe card is from the 20s or 30s. This is obviously the cake kind of gingerbread, not the cookie kind.
https://ibb.co/xzN2vGr
@Rose, Thank you for sharing the recipe. I don't have shortening either, do you use that or butter?
@Andrea G / Midwest Andrea, Butter. One stick for 1/2 cup.
In the 20s and 30s, Crisco et al tried to stamp out butter and lard as unhealthful, which they are not. Crisco has its place as a frying medium, and my mom always used half Crisco (for lightness) and half butter (for flavor) in pastry, but it's really kinda bad for you. Butter all the way. And lard makes pastry so light it practically floats,
@Andrea G / Midwest Andrea, Also, just to push this recipe which I adore, you could also spread softened cream cheese on top instead of whipped cream. Or sometimes Mom would serve it with some canned pears in syrup on the side (it was the 70s) and then top it all with cream.
@Rose, inquiring minds want to know…..what exactly did you use for “shortening”? It looks like a great vintage recipe that I want to try. Thanks for the link!
@Rose, I used to have to bring snacks for the volunteers when I worked at the local public radio station. Everyone's favorite was gingerbread with peaches: a nice mix of New England and the Deep South.
@Jean C, I use butter, but apparently Crisco has recently eliminated almost all trans fats, so that's good. If anyone needs to frugalize the recipe, Crisco or similar or margarine would work fine.
@Rose,
Now I want some gingerbread with whipped cream on it. 🙂
I have a very old recipe for banana cookies that calls for shortening. I think my mom originally got it from a neighbor. Anyhoo, it's the only thing I make with shortening - I've always been afraid to mess with the recipe, but I really prefer butter. (I know, I know, I should just go for it....maybe I will, next time I make them....)
@Rose, my mammaw's molasses cookies were soft. No one in the family has her recipe sad to say. I need to employ the cookbooks I have and the internet - someone else had to have made a soft gingerbread cookie.
@Selena, if you pull them out of the oven just when you begin to smell them baking, while they still look raw, they might be soft. That's the way I do it, and I think it is the abbreviated time in the oven rather than my recipe that makes them soft. 375°, 5 minutes, rotate the pans, 5 more minutes.
Remember, guys, butter IS a kind of shortening. You could use lard if you wanted. A friend of mine, before she went vegan, used to bake chocolate chip cookies with bacon grease instead of butter and they were fabulous.
Is the Martti app the approved translation service at your facility? We have phone interpreters (and some in-person interpreters for more commonly spoken languages like Spanish). I don't love the phone interpreters--some are fantastic, some aren't, and many interpreters work from home so you hear the inevitable background noises. Calls occasionally get dropped, which is an issue. And when I have patients who are confused, it would be helpful to have an interpreter who has visual cues. Anyway, just curious about how other facilities address this.
I know that the mental health part of your training wasn't your favorite--I'd like to share my experience. I spent my first 2 years as a professional working in an inpatient mental health facility. At the time, I thought I was wasting my time (not achieving what I thought were my "professional goals"), but what I have learned is that people with mental health issues are everywhere, no matter where you might practice. My background working there has been invaluable as I have moved onto working in other areas.
OK, enough professional chat. Thankfuls? Well, my cats are soooo darn funny, we have had sunny and frosty weather the past few days (my fave!), my daughter is coming home for her mid-term break (yay!) today, I was able to host a young adult Bible study earlier this week and it went very well, and I have a good stash of warm throws to snuggle up in during chilly days and nights.
Hooray for school breaks!
1. I am thankful that when I was looking at a long wait time on my car's oil change, I checked in with my granddaughter and she was just coming in to town from her dad's house to go to work - she didn't have class that morning. She gave me a ride to the library which had just opened, so I didn't have to stand around the entire morning.
2. I'm thankful that I remembered my injection this week. Taking it only every 8 weeks, I sometimes forget it and take it late, even though it's written on my calendar. As hard as I worked to get that uber-expensive medication for free, I sure don't want to skip it.
3. Looking at the many missing globes from the vintage-looking streetlights, the peeled back or missing store awnings, the crumpled carports, the leaning or broken trees and the roof sliding off an 1800's brick commercial building as I go through our downtown, I'm grateful that I had no more hurricane damage than I did at my house. I'm very grateful that, as far as I know, everyone in my county has power back, if they still have a home to reconnect to power, that is.
4. I'm thankful for the cooler weather! It will warm up a little more in a few days, but it's not going to get back to 88-98 with nights in the 70's again for a while, at least.
5. I'm thankful for the birthday of a sister this week. She and I have had a lot of ups and downs in our relationship over the years, including her choosing to be estranged from my other sister and me at times, but she is talking to us some again, and I am thankful for that, too. I've learned to accept this is how she is and this is the relationship we have.
@JD, glad you & your family are ok. My Aunt said she was trying to call her insurance company (in Florida) & repeatedly no answer. So she decided to go to office (not far from her what's left of house) & she turned around the corner & that whole block was gone. It's heart breaking.
@JD, #5 shows a lot of wisdom gained through experience and maturity. Impressive approach to a difficult relationship!
@Central Calif. Artist Jana,
We were very close growing up, so it's taken me a while to get to this point of acceptance, but I'm okay with it now.
Congratulations to your progress in school, Kristin! And wow for your arm muscles!
Every once in a while I get a little aggravated with all the not-so-helpful technology that gets thrown at us seemingly every hour of every day, but then someone (like Kristen!) tells me about something (like Martti!) and I go "Well....OK!". So I am (intermittently) thankful for (some but not all) technological "advancements".
@JDinNM, I am the same way with technology. Then DH does something like install a security camera that has an app so I can see exactly when Clark wants in from the garage (he stands by the door and the camera senses him and alerts me). I can also make sure it's Clark and not, you know, a serial killer.
@Karen A., I hope Clark paid for that out of his allowance. ;-}
@JDinNM, Ha! No, we had it from DS's former apartment---the one he rented before his medical saga--and used it over there to make sure nobody was getting in while it was vacant. Now that he's out of that lease, DH decided to use it in the garage. We let Clark go out there and have an adventure when he wants, and with the camera we don't have to strain to hear him mewing or pawing at the door.
I sometimes threaten to garnish his Churu treat wages, but he just gives me a slow blink and then rubs against my legs. He knows I'm a sucker.
@Karen A., We should all have it as good as Clark.
Yay for finishing your mental health unit! Here's what i'm grateful for this week:
1) That DS18 seems to be taking mid-terms really seriously at college. Fingers crossed that all is going well. I ordered cupcakes to be delivered to his dorm tomorrow as a reward. He will share with his suite mates. 🙂
2) That I have so many great friends. This has been especially important since I haven't been working. I need some amount of social time that I apparently used to get at work. It's awesome to have friends to meet for hikes, walks, lunches, coffees, etc.
3) That my parents are flying in today, so DH & I can go to Costa Rica for our anniversary.
4) Super grateful we are on top of all of the senior year stuff, and I learned a lot from last year about timing.
5) Happy I menu planned & know what I'm making for the two nights we are here with my parents.
@Hawaii Planner, Happy anniversary. I hope you and your husband enjoy your vacation to Costa Rica as much as we did ours.
Such a happy post! I love your beaming smile in these pictures.
This week I'm thankful for so many things. It was Canadian Thanksgiving on Monday so I'm in an extra grateful frame of mind.
Today, the biggest thing I'm grateful for is the fall weather. It was crisp but sunny on our walk to school this morning; the leaves are changing the most beautiful colours. I hate winter, but the beauty of fall makes it worth the cold, dark months. As Anne of Green Gables says: I'm so glad I live in a world with Octobers.
Also thankful that a friend I met through blogging - who is doing a cross-North America bike ride - is coming to stay for a few days. I'm excited to show her some local sights in Nova Scotia, but also to just hang out and get to know each other better.
The fall colors are getting close to peak in our area. Every drive, every walk, every look out the window is beautiful.
I am so thankful for our recent family trip. It was the first time the three of us did something this big together. We had a great time and my heart was melty each time I saw my son eager to walk and chat with my husband while sightseeing. They have a great relationship I just love seeing how great of friends they are.
We have a family change happening next month that will take a few months of adjustment and extra time at home. I chatted with my boss and she’s ok with me working from home an extra day a week for the rest of the year. We are wrapping up a huge project this month so the timing worked well.
I miss the tree-tunnel walking trail close to our old house, but our new house is in a very walkable area. My sweet old dog likes that there are so many smells for him to explore and we can pick neighborhood or prairie for our daily walk.
My son’s school hosted conferences this week. This was my first chance to meet his teachers this year since we had to miss a few back to school events. I can tell why he’s having such a great year so far – his teachers are very kind and supportive. They are really setting their students up for success. My son has one teacher he is struggling with (personally not academically) so it was helpful to meet this teacher so I can help steer the conversation when my son is venting.
I'm sure you did great & have nothing to worry about. Enjoy a little down time before next week.
Thankful that my family (my dad & his girlfriend & my aunt) in Florida are all safe. I talked with my dad's girlfriend & they finally got power back & found some gas so my dad & Aunt could go back to see her house/property. My dad had minimal damage (metal carport air boat is under got damaged but can be repaired but might be easier to replace) & my Aunt's (what's left of) house got flooded again.
Thankful for @Bee for the article/list on gas in Florida. I shared with my family & others know in Florida.
Thankful that Florida's Governor DeSantis is quickly expediting resources for the people in Florida. And will continue to. I was glad to hear that Florida governor has also already had law enforcement arrest & charge people who intentionally abandoned and/or left pets in hurricane unsafe. Apparently he is really big about animal cruelty. Some people should just not have pets.
Thankful for our house & that it keeps us safe & warm.
Thankful for the furnace keeping us warm. Upper 20s last few nights & little/no sunshine Monday & Tuesday. Plus the clear skies at night made it cold. I am so not ready for this cold air.
Thankful it is supposed to get somewhat warmer during daytime & sunshine by this weekend but still cold overnight.
Thankful teen completed all of college class Tuesday. Teen finished up last available material Tuesday (half way through semester) even after not being able to go to class few days because of equipment blowing up in class due to power surges in building. Teen took more credits than others in college class & knocked it out. I'm so glad that the material is coming so easily for teen.
Thankful for Kristen & her blog where we can share & learn from each other.
Have a great weekend!
**Quick note--I was wondering if anyone happens to know if there are any discount codes that actually work for HERFF JONES(.com) for graduation? I recently checked on Google & not one discount code worked for me. I think I have until December to get high school graduation cap & gown stuff ordered but would like to find discount if possible. I appreciate any response/ideas. Thank you. 🙂
@Regina,
That saga of the abandoned dog really caught people's attention. The man who abandoned it has been arrested. He said he left it tied to the fence along the highway with a cat. 4 hurricane incoming because he couldn't locate anyone to pick it up, whatever that meant. He actually went to an animal shelter after the hurricane was past and people returned home, seeing if by chance his dog was there, so that's how they found him to arrest him. How he thought that dog would survive when he was tied closely to a fence and already standing belly deep in water when the state trooper spotted him, I don't know.
The dog is safe in Leon County now, I understand he is being adopted, and he has a new name - Trooper.
I'm so so thankful for all the friends and family that came by to help us move last weekend, it felt like our village pitching in together.
I'm really enjoying the crisp air. Our new neighborhood has more trees, too, which is nice for walks.
I'm glad we found the birthday gifts we tucked into our storage unit: I didn't think that the birthdays would be coming up so fast when I put them in there!
I'm grateful 3 of my books got approved to publish at our board meeting yesterday. I'm particularly excited for one, which is a guidebook for implementing therapy dogs in schools.
I am thankful that now, five months after retirement, I am remembering healthy free activities I used to do all the time before the last few years of being an over busy, short timing teacher.
1. I started back to the free classes included with my gym membership. I once dreamed of taking daytime classes and now I am doing it. I especially love TRX and yoga.
2. I began to fool around on the Steinway again. My son is the pianist. We bought him the beautiful used piano used when he was about14. He eventually played the Gershwin rhapsody in Blue with the local orchestra his senior year. I had to learn when I was a music major. It is good to resurrect old skills.
3. I can finally walk in the afternoons again. It has been so hot for months here I stopped walking and went to the gym when I was home. I love a good afternoon walk. it helps me close the kitchen early.
@Mary Ann, Rhapsody in Blue is a Major Accomplishment. I'm impressed!
And I'm glad you are out walking again —I wondered if you would quit after the aborted rim trail trip. (My neighbor and I meet at 6 a.m. by flashlight, even when it isn't hot, because of her work schedule.)
Kristen, an 8 week class sounds enormously stressful. I am in awe of your study habits and ability to retain the information, along with not wasting money on comfort splurges, working out, writing a blog, all while keeping a good attitude.
THANKFULS:
•The cabin is closed for the year. A cabin is both a blessing and a burden, so closing in fall is always a relief.
•My solo show is hung and I am almost ready for the opening reception.
•The little token fall garden is planted in the beds protected from deer. Now, let's have some broccoli and lettuce, please!
@Central Calif. Artist Jana,
I hope the opening reception goes well, and that your solo show gets a lot of attention!
@Liz B., thank you! All I have left to do is figure out what to say after I get introduced AND figure out what to wear.
@Central Calif. Artist Jana,
Congratulations on your solo! I wish you were nearby so I could attend. I spent 20 years as a curator in a museum, attending many openings of artists in our region. It was the best job, so joyful. I also wrote several books about a few of the artists. I just loved exploring these hardworking worthy artists.
Hope you make many sales, too.
I’m still thinking of the thousands without water and power in NC and Tenn. especially those at higher elevations where they’ve already had snow. Hoping for the 90 still missing.
I know the tourist industry is hurting but the governor says only first responders. I40 will remain closed until January and then only be partially open, also it’s going to be several billion dollars for all of the damage just DOT roadway infrastructure
timeline unknown.
@Tiana, Our TV news last night here in Texas showed the Killeen, Texas, firefighters appear at a press conference, telling about their time in N.C. helping with hurricane search/rescue. They were happy and honored to get to help but said they saw some really sad things. They had just arrived back in Central Texas after going to help the Helene victims and you could tell they were really, really tired.
Yay on another unit completed!
Thankful for the crisp nights and good sleep. The awesome aurora borealis show a few days ago. The meteors. The rain to help with our wildfires. Yes, I was one of those people who bought my limit of paper towels, personal wipes & toilet paper that went to N. Carolina. The biggest Thankful this week for the sale of my aunt's home. Since I was once a real estate broker, I listed and marketed the property. Cash sale with no contingencies. Lovely!
Thankful for:
1. Snow and dark are my jam and it makes me happy that at 8 am today it is snowing and dark out. Everything is so muted and peaceful.
2. A friend who gave me a gift of a cheesecake this week, and it ended up being absolutely the best cheesecake I have ever eaten (and I have eaten a few!).
3. the Great Dane has gone three days without destroying anything. And when we took him to the vet, he was pronounced in perfect health and weight, so we can stop loading his food with extra calories to fatten him up. He was very underweight when we got him, and his giant frame looked so bad with all his ribs sticking out. Down from 10 cups of food a day to eight!
4. someone who came up to me to thank me for telling him about my 37 pound battery operated wheelchair. I don't remember, but apparently last year I was in the waiting room of our mutual physician and when he commented on my wheelchair I gave him a detailed tutorial on what a game changer it was. He got one for his wife and she is much more willing to go out because it is so easy to load and unload out of their car. I am so glad to help someone else get more mobility!
5. The husband, always the husband.
@Lindsey,
Please tell me a little about your chair. I use a very lightweight manual chair but there some places where a little power would be welcome.
@Elizabeth, It is manufactured by a company called Matrix. We did not buy it from Amazon, we got it directly from Matrix. With the battery, it weighs 37 pounds. I have owned it for about 2 years now and the only complaint I have is that the foot platform is narrower than I would like but otherwise it is exactly as advertised. It folds up into a small size, you open it up with literally a flick of the arm while holding the back of it. The battery is long lasting, but we bought an extra since we travel with it and if we are tooling around some city all day, I don't want the battery to run out. You can carry the second battery in the little backpack they have under the seat. You can buy a suitcase for it, which will significantly reduce the possibility of damage if you are putting it into the cargo deck when flying. I have used it on regular pavement, carpeting, small gravel, and cobblestones, and it worked fine in all those places. It is very pricey, though, and has gone up in price by almost a thousand dollars since we bought mine. We also had to pay $500 for shipping to Alaska. I think that about covers it. On days I feel good so I can walk, we still keep it in the vehicle because it is easy to retrieve if my energy flags before we want to stop. I hope this gives you enough info.
I am grateful that...my nursing school days are loooonng over! In fact, my nursing career is over! I love retirement. And any yearnings I might have for nursing are quickly filled by taking care of hubby. One patient is easier than 6+ (well, most of the time, anyway.)
I am grateful for the two pairs of corduroy pants I got from someone in my BN group. I only had to cut the hems off and rehem them, but as I am 5' 1", I always have to do that. It was cool enough to wear a pair today.
I am grateful for my women's Bible study group. I know I've said that before, but as we are back from a break, I am more aware of their support during tough times.
I am thankful for the mower guys. For all the weeks we had rain on Thursdays (my day on his list), it was the highest I've seen it in a while, and a pain to sludge through both for the dog and for me. Last week I actually paid double his fee (my idea, he did not charge me extra) because there was so much grass and weeds it took probably twice as long for them to get it all done. And I didn't have to do it. Because of all the rain, they'd had less work, and he was very appreciative of the additional money, pittance though it was.
I'm grateful for the ability to control the temperature in my house to keep it comfortable. Some are still without power as the temperatures begin to drop. And our temps have been in the 30s the last couple of nights
I am thankful that hubby has fully recovered from the fractured leg and broken rib he has been dealing with since mid-July, and that he is back to his pre-injury state of "independence". He will always need assistance with ADLs (Activities of Daily Living), but last night I actually got a chance to do some sewing for the first time in months. Yeah, it was only hemming the pants, but it was SEWING, y'all! I think my mojo will be back soon.
Today, I'm so thankful for:
-Libraries! It's amazing that we have access to so many books and can read them.
-The very cute things my 3-year-old son says. Part of me wishes I could keep him this age forever because it's incredible watching him.
-Beautiful fall colors. I'm forever thankful to live somewhere where the leaves change color before falling off the trees. What a gift.
-The ability to work remotely. 2020 was a wild year, but something positive that came out of it was the chance to work remotely.
I am thankful that there's only one piece of construction left on our sunroom project. There's a tiny bit of painting and a couple of pieces of trim that DH and I have to do, but it won't be hard. If the gutter installer ever deigns to show up, we will be so thankful to have this rather stressful thing done.
Also thankful that early voting was relatively easy today and I had to stand in the cold only about 15 minutes. The clover I planted Saturday already is coming up, and our sweet, somewhat shy kitty has decided I am her person and we have a lovely cuddle session every evening.
It's so awesome that the Martti app exists and is easy to use.
I'm thankful that the plumber determined that the water leak at the meter was on the city's side, and he did not charge us for the visit.
I'm thankful I could take off this morning to babysit our grandson. He has hand, mouth, and mouth disease so he can't go to daycare and my DD needed to work this morning. Also thankful the baby has been fever free since Sunday and he was so happy this morning.
I'm thankful for the gas fireplace in our new house. It was chilly during the evenings this week and it was so nice to be able to heat up the family room with a fire.
I'm thankful our finances are getting back to normal after a summer of spending to fix up the house to sell and all the expenses associated with moving into the new house. Very happy to be mortgage free again.
I'm thankful for the wonderful fall weather we are having.
1. I was able to not have to do the jury duty thing because I arrived at their 8:30 starting time, not any earlier, and they soon had enough poor souls (aka prospective jurors) in the courthouse annex so they sent the rest of us home. I am esp. thankful since finding out they were going to do a capital murder case that day. I don't want to see gory photos of the dead bodies, etc. I also don't want the criminal's buddies carrying out any revenge on me later on. Which is what our former sheriff said (in private) has happened more than once.
2. Thankful to have my cancer scan later on today. It will be paid for by my Medicare Advantage plan, which is closing down as of Dec. 31. If anyone has good experiences with their Medicare plans, other than Humana (my company), pls. let me know.
3. My AC stopped working, I called the repairman, and then all of the sudden it started up again. Thankfully, I was able to call back and cancel the service call so I didn't have to pay the $$.
4. We had a cold front come through! The afternoon temps are in the 70s, not the upper 90s!
5. I was able to get a lot of the brush cut up and sacked up, ready for yard waste pickup this week. The brush pile had been even with the top of the backyard fence. Now it's just 2 or 3 feet high. Slow and steady wins the race....and I won't have to pay landfill fees.....
@Fru-gal Lisa, #5! I spent a couple hours yesterday afternoon harvesting my field of wild blue asters, shaking off the seed heads as I went for next year's blooms, and stuffing the dried stalks in my trash bin for today's trash pickup. Free wildflowers and no landfill fees. Now if we just get some rain...
Update: I had to shell out $300 as my copay for the cancer scan, but I'm thankful I didn't have to pay the whole bill, which totaled more than $5,000. Egads!
I had a student radiology tech and she was just learning how to stick a patient and put in the IV. (They have to shoot some kind of contrast day in your veins for the CT scan. I was her very first patient for this.) She was nervous and I got stuck multiple times and even bruised, but I thought of Kristen trying to learn new things and just smiled my way through it. The regular tech took over, also had problems, and it ends up that my vein rolled or moved or something.
@Fru-gal Lisa, Aetna but the MA plans vary greatly by state. Our state has a pretty good one.
@Fru-gal Lisa - better half also has an indemnity plan ($32 per month) to cover the larger co-pays. Alas my Dad does not qualify for the indemnity plan but he's saving well over $4K a year. And may save more once the Rx OOP caps go into effect in 2025.
I'm thankful that the details are coming together for us to get away next weekend over fall break. A couple of people in my house could really use some time away doing fun family things. We found a cabin and there's space for my dog at the kennel. There's a ton to do between now and then, but we will make it!
Also, I have to give a talk to a big room full of adults on Wednesday morning (I'm more comfortable talking to a large group of kids) and the people in charge think it's fine if I just tweak my presentation from a year ago. I'm so thankful I don't have to come up with something completely new!
I laughed out loud seeing Chiquita so engrossed in the computer program.
Thankful to have spent some time with my Lil Bro this past Saturday. We went to a big flea market and used his work side by side. Getting started was a little slow, but we managed to become more efficient by each of us looking out our respective sides of the buggy for things that piqued our interest. I think it had a two-fold thankful effect for him because we could not chit chat and hear each other, just get each other's attention to stop. I gave him my list of "really wants" and a list of interests. I really am not good at garage or yard sales, flea markets or antique and collectibles because I always find something and I would rather be doing a Swedish death cleaning than buying more STUFF. We had fun and I did fulfill my "wants," which was two trellises for my climbing roses and small baskets to put in the potting shed next to the garden to carry produce to the house. I was thankful for the beautiful country drive to and from the location.
I am thankful that Molly seems a little better from her lameness.
I am thankful for the space heater in my bedroom. I did turn the house heat up this past week and turned it down last night when I started getting a headache. I moved the carbon monoxide detector to the sight closest to airflow from the basement. I WILL have the heater checked this week before turning it up again. I had changed the filter in late spring.
So thankful to see the different entities, Samaritan's Purse, The 2016 Cajun Navy, Greater Good, all of the lineman, personal businesses and others too numerous to mention continue to rebuild WNC and FL. I know there is still some realization of people who are not found and my heart breaks for those who've lost so much.
My daughter took her pediatric (physician) boards yesterday. It's like a weight has been lifted off her shoulders. She is not sure she passed (the test is VERY difficult and nobody has a way to judge how they did until the scores come out), but she is finally out from under the cloud of intense studying for the first time since she started Medical school almost 8 years ago.
I'm so proud of her. For all doctors completing their residencies, they have to find jobs, get state medical licenses and DEA licenses, move (often across the country) find places to live, start new jobs AND take boards, all in a matter of a few months. Her residency used a different electronic medical record system than her job, so she is learning all that meanwhile too. She can do hard things!
I know you'll pass your mental health/med-surg, and I predict you'll easily pass your nursing boards, because you work so hard at it. Enjoy your few days of respite!
Thankful for:
A local group in Michigan that posts updates on viewing the aurora. I was very happy to see it and took some great pics. The sky was a great big theatre.
For our lunchtime puzzle group. We hardly talk but it is such a great break.
For coffee.
For Sam's Club click and pull. Such a great service for those of us who can't handle heavy bags.
For ER vets, we had to drive an hour but they were so kind. It is the college my son graduated from and their students assist with medical workups for animals. There were horses in the hallway.
That my pupper is feeling a little better. He has a lot of tummy troubles.
I'm thankful for the thoughtful advice I got on Wednesday. Unfortunately, this week was waylaid by a sick toddler, but it looks like I'll have some time to read and respond on the weekend. Then we can form our plan.
I’m thankful for this glorious weather we’ve been having. This is my favorite season and October is my favorite month. I’m not taking these beautiful days for granted. I’m savoring each day!
I’m grateful for a day my husband and I spent at an orchard yesterday with our son, daughter-in-law and grandson. We had a delightful time!!
I love looking forward to things. I’m excited about a party tomorrow to celebrate my 70th birthday ( actual birthday Oct 20) . We’re gathering with family and friends. It’ll be so much fun!
We love seeing you smile. You are rocking this school thing and we are cheering you on the whole way.
I am thankful to spend the weekend with my teenage grandkids as their parents are out of town. Greatest kids ever!
Thankful my husband got my car inspected this morning and filled it up with gas.
Trying to make bread. I don’t know. The dough was a little .shaggy. Hoping for the best.
I am thankful for your blog posts because they help me take my own "catching my breath" moments!
I am thankful to be able to fly home to the Deep South to see my family after all of the recent weather issues. I'm thankful to have this time with them and especially thankful for a spouse to watch the kitties while I am gone and a sister to help with our parents.
The weather here has been perfectly "fallish" which isn't always the case in The South in October, so I am thankful for that too!
Congratulations on 8 weeks done! Hope you love the pediatrics.
My thankfuls:
1) For the wonderful harmony of two choirs joined for the farewell service of an old friend today. She would have loved to hear it.
2) For my happy husband and his students. He adopts their concerns and problems and celebrates their successes. They give his life as a teacher so much reward.
3) For my patient piano teacher, who keeps me challenged and improving all the time.
4) For the gorgeous maple trees that are turning gold and red all over the county.
5) For our formerly feral cat, who is now a professional pillow that purrs. She is so cheerful in the morning she makes us laugh. How did we forget what a joyful thing it is to have a regular breakfast???