Thankful Thursday | muggy thankfulness
This week I am thankful:
for a small break in the humidity
It has been so super muggy here, but for a couple of days this week, the air dried out a bit.
That sure helps things feel more comfortable outside.
I sort of make peace with the fact that I am mostly not going to love the weather in July and August. I expect every day to be terribly muggy and hot, and then I am just very grateful if a day happens to be faintly pleasant. 😉
for air-conditioning
Thank goodness I don't have to sleep surrounded by humid, still air!
for cool showers
I use barely any hot water at all after my morning walks these days; I need a nice dousing in cool water after a muggy walk in the woods.
for people who listen to my troubles
I was feeling pretty discouraged several times this week, but talking to some of my friends and one of my sisters-in-law helped to perk me up a bit.
Sometimes a listening ear can help so much; it doesn't fix the problem, but it does help to get me into a better frame of mind, which helps me face my problems a little better!
for wild berries
I've been finding lots of big juicy blackberries this week, and they are so good.
A lot of them grow near poison ivy, but thankfully, some of the bushes are tall enough to be out of reach of the poison ivy. So then I feel safe enough to eat the berries.
And of course I've been eating wineberries still.
for snuggles with Miss Shelly
I know some of you have been a little worried about her due to the lack of pictures.
But it's not because she hasn't been getting snuggles and attention; it's because she's hard to photograph even in good light, and now that she's been choosing to stay downstairs in the basement more, it's even harder to snap a non-blurry photograph of her.
for Chiquita's funny antics
Man, this cat is just crazy! I think at first when we got her, we didn't realize how much energy she has, because she had a cold.
But now, my goodness, she is just nuts.
She's always zooming around the house, running through her tunnel, playing with her mice, climbing on everything...and aside from her habit of walking on my keyboard, it's all innocuous and funny.
(I have to shut her out of my office sometimes so I can type in peace.)
for all the turtles I have been seeing on my walks
I've seen so many box turtles this last week, and that makes me happy, since I know their numbers have been declining in the last decade or so.
that my health exam records are allllmost all done
My Covid vaccination records finally went through so now I'm just waiting for my Hepatitis B shot to get marked as complete, and then I gotta get a flu shot in August.
85% completion now!
that I don't have to make a tax payment in July
My CPA calculated payments for me recently and discovered that I have overpaid for this quarter. Woohoo!
So....no mid-July payment for the IRS from me. I'm pretty happy about that!
And I also overpaid my state tax for this quarter by $500, which means I don't need to make a state estimated tax payment in July.
Thankful that hubs and I went bike riding twice this week. We have a big bike riding trip planned in 4 weeks, so we have to do a lot of riding to get caught up. The downside is the trail is a half hour away and you can't ride on the roads around here as there are no shoulders!
Been eating the food we have, which is great for us. We don't usually do that. But Kristen, your leftover food looks so delicious!
Thankful that things are beginning to click at my new position. I know a lot of stuff, just not their actual way of doing things and there is nothing written up so I can look up my questions.
Thankful that the family all made it to a graduation celebration this past weekend and that everyone made it home. It was nice to see everyone celebrate this nephew.
Thankful that my new glasses came in - finally! The lab lost the frames and they had to be re-ordered from the store. Took an extra 2 weeks, but I finally get to pick them up tonight.
I am thank for the drier air the past three days. The humid seems to have returned overnight but we are almost half way through July.
I am thank for A/C. I can't imaging getting through summer without it.
I am thankful that this week has not brought a slew of home maintenance issues. There were four issues last week so it is nice to have them dealt with and nothing new this week (fingers crossed).
I am thankful for the beautiful sun rise this morning. There were some clouds that were a wide range of shapes and colors, there was a sliver of a moon, the air was still cool.
I am thankful for DH. He is a generally pleasant and giving person.
*The biggest thankful of the week for me: I'm thankful that my friend is still alive after a heart attack. It happened at church on Sunday, and another friend (retired police officer) was still there and knew exactly what to do. He got to the hospital as quickly as one can in these parts. After 5 stints, he's back home with his wife and young children.
*I am so thankful that the very best person in our congregation to handle that emergency had lingered a bit at church.
*My husband (the pastor) went to the hospital for the afternoon that day. We had planned to leave right after church to go to a Marty Stuart concert (free!), but plans change like that. He was able to get home in time for us to make it to the concert a few hours away. In fact, it was better that we left later because, otherwise, we would have been sitting outside during some pretty heavy rain. I am thankful that we made it after all.
*I'm thankful for my daughters' complete surprise about the concert. I can't tell you how many times she's told me and her father since that moment that she loves us and that we're awesome. (Marty is one of her very favorite artists.)
*I'm thankful Mr. Stuart decided to sign autographs. My daughter was first in line and was able to talk to him for a short time. This was a very big deal for her.
*I'm thankful for our library's program yesterday. In what appears to be a week of old-time music, we enjoyed listening to Dr. Fiddle giving an amazing music history lesson.
*I'm thankful for another free concert this coming Sunday-- one of my favorite bands.
*I'm thankful for less humidity, too. And coffee. And electricity and running water. And ice cream, or the memory of ice cream because I haven't had any ice cream this week. It's a good thing to remember and enjoy. The zinnias that overgrow outside my kitchen window so I can see the hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies and moths enjoying them. For the bees in the blooming buckwheat. For my children who are currently very excited about playing music. For my husband. For my friend. Life is beautiful!
@Jody S., what a Sunday! Glad your friend was able to get the necessary care.
@Jody S., God bless your husband for being the kind of person I expect a pastor to be (but that too few today actually are.) Putting your flock before your family in instances like this must be a difficult thing to do but I view such emergencies to be a much more important part of the job than the Sunday service. I can't tell you how many times pastors have let my family down during a time of crisis. The absolute worst was when my father-in-law was dying and his pastor chose to go to his grand son's birthday party instead. We've never forgotten and it still hurts.
Your husband is obviously a wonderful pastor and takes his job seriously. They used to say it was a "calling" to be a minister, but sadly, today, I feel many are called only to the money. Thank your husband on behalf of all of us who need to know pastors like him still exist. To use your daughter's word, he's clearly "awesome"!
@Bobi, LOL! My husband is the pastor of a small, country church. Money has never been the reason he has stayed here for almost 19 years. But the people here are family now. It is home. It will be very, very hard if he gets a call elsewhere.
@Jody S., I need to amend my comment. My laughter was not to belittle our congregation's support of our family. It's just that it is so far from being one of those big churches where money is an enticement 🙂 Our church has supported our family in so many ways. The people built an addition when we were outgrowing the parsonage. They drop their lives to attend to our needs. They share what they have. They pray for us. They love us. Last Sunday, my friend who is battling cancer gave my daughter a beautiful (gorgeous!) dress she made for her. If you think my husband is a rarity of a pastor, this congregation is a model for how a congregation should care for a pastor and his family.
@Jody S., What's the expression? "Like attracts like." It sounds like your family and your congregation are a perfect match. Maybe "a match made in Heaven"!
I’m so glad you have friends to help you. Just yesterday I reached out and got a pep talk which helped our family so much.
I’m thankful for Beautiful weather—it’s glorious here. I’d like to live outside to soak it all in all day long. Along with that I’m thankful for a house with so many windows that provide a good cross breeze when it is warm enough to want one.
For the feel of a freshly vacuumed carpet and freshly mopped floors.
I've seen several turtles lately-all headed toward busy roads! When I can, I stop and move them out of the roads. But it a delight to see them!
This week I'm thankful for:
~That our home renovations are almost done. We are done with all the saw dust and painting. We're down to a little touch-up work and putting the house back together
~That we were able to pay cash for our renovations (even when the project started to creep)
~For the great food coming out of our garden
~For good friends/family members who have been lending us a hand with zero expectations of payback
@Sarah, please make sure to always put turtles in the direction they were going! So if they are heading right at a big road, put them on the other side of it. If you move them away from it, they are just going to go back to where they were and continue crossing anyway. Thanks for wanting to help our tiny shelled friends!
There were a couple of turtles in the road on my way down to pick up my son from his job the other day. I carefully went around them, of course, but then on the way back, I told my son this, and he said, "You didn't STOP and bring them across the road, Mom?!" Uh, no. I didn't know I was supposed to. But he insisted he do it on the way back, to make sure no one else runs them over. He got out of the car, running over to the turtles and reassuring them, "Don't worry, buddy. We'll get you across." :-)He learned this from both his father and his boss at work, which seems to me to be a fine thing for a boy to learn from the men in his life. Of course, it's much easier to do on roads that have about five cars in an hour on them.
Thankfuls:
--For all the good influences in my children's lives that are not me and my husband. Especially as they get older, they look to people outside our household and learn from them, so I'm very thankful there are good people for them to emulate.
--For the interest my middle son has in riding and training horses, and judo. He's not a team sports guy, despite having some talent in sports, so it's nice he has these options instead.
--For that middle son, whose 11th birthday is today. He is a remarkable child, and it's so incredible watching him grow and become himself.
--That I have three people in my home competent with a gun who can shoot snakes for me. I don't shoot guns, but I do need to get rid of rattlesnakes when they're around our house. Enter the hired guns.
--For my children's grandparents on both sides, who are always happy for them to visit and will accomodate us whenever we happen to be able to come. I know not everyone has such grandparents in their children's lives, so I try not to take this for granted.
Thankful for a visit to Flirida where it is hot and humid! We were in cold and rain at home for 40 plus days this spring/early summer. So thankful for heat (and a/c(. Ha!
We have had a lot of rain recently and that makes me so thankful! The plants are growing and blossoming again and the air is full of the hum of insects. Finally we see butteflies as well - they are a little late.
Thankful of dental care (again)
Thankful for a body that is strong and energetic
Thankful for a good mood
Thankful for the people around me
Thankful for having a job that I love doing and where I am appreciated
This week I am thankful for:
*My beautiful house, which is looking mighty fine lately. The kitchen is almost finished. Just one room yet to declutter and arrange, and I have to hang pictures.
*Good friends, hanging together on the beach in our secret spot with no one else around.
*It's finally summer here. Warm and sunny.
*That my son is insisting on taking care of the vegetable garden this year. Have at it, kid.
*My dingaling coonhound, who never wants to come indoors these days. She is so sweet, despite having a brain the size of a pea.
My thankful things are mostly about money lately - things were a burden now seen doable.
*I sold my property so I won't have that loan payment nor the electric payment and no more worries about mowing it or fixing pipes I forget to bleed in the winter!
*Working a lot of overtime made it easier to pay my youngest's tuition for summer - hooray for a steady income and the chance to catch up.
*Air conditioning when its going to 105 today - this is a huge blessing.
*My employer provides counseling services for free through its EAP and I will start that today.
*I finished a pound of coffee I wasn't jazzed about and am now back to my favorite French Roast and that starts my day off nicely.
*Meeting a new friend for a beer tomorrow - we will definitely sit and sip in the shade. (:
@gina, congrats on selling your property, woo hoo!
I love the pictures of nature.
This is a "find the silver lining" edition of thanksgivings.
1. I'm thankful that although my husband somehow rolled out of bed and fell very early Monday morning, a check up in ER revealed no broken bones and no need to be admitted.
2. I'm thankful that although my upstairs a/c (where my bedroom and bathroom are) quit yesterday, the one downstairs still works, and I was able to contact someone at the repair service after hours, so they can get me scheduled at least.
3. I'm thankful that although my dogs caught and killed a tortoise Tuesday, it was at least dead when I got home, and I didn't have to put it out of its misery. They had eaten much of it, yuck. It's the first one these two dogs have killed, and I hope the last. Poor thing. I'm not sure why it came into the fenced yard, but that was a mistake.
4. I'm thankful that although my husband's latest blood work shows a small rise in his PSA count (he's a prostate cancer survivor), his A1C was actually down, which is a good sign for a diabetic.
5. I'm thankful that although a storm brought a large tree limb down on my stoop roof, it doesn't appear to have damaged it.
It's a good thing we do this weekly thankful exercise so I can make myself look for the brighter side!
@JD, I share your thankfuls about your DH. As I'm sure you know too, the more you can keep him out of a hospital, the better. Hospitalizations only increase the confusions and hasten the process.
@A. Marie,
Yes! I first saw that when my grandfather fell and broke his leg and had to be hospitalized. He was totally "lost" until he got back home.
Today, I'm thankful for the nutrient dense breakfast/lunch/dinners I've been eating for the past several months. It took me a long time to make the switch to mostly whole foods and then to embrace it.
Nayyirah Waheed (poet): And I said to my body softly, 'I want to be your friend.' It took a long breath and replied, 'I have been waiting my whole life for this.'
I am thankful for my new (within the last few months) cat. He is similar to Chiquita in that he has the zoomies, loves to play with toys, and is thrilled by an open window. My previous cat was 20 and I had forgotten what it was like to have a youngster. He is endlessly entertaining. Also, when he wants to be, he is a snugglebug, which is a complete surprise to me. I volunteer at a cat shelter and he was not like this there!
A huge thankfulness to my boyfriend of 13 years (can I get a word that means more than boyfriend by now??). He doesn't like it, but he is so handy. He worked on the brakes on our van and my heart just melts at the sight of him doing that kind of stuff. I didn't grow up with a handy guy and my first husband also wasn't particularly handy, so I appreciate it when I see it.
I am so glad for some rain. We were in a serious drought and things were looking crispy. I got poured on leaving work, but it was worth it.
Referencing back to above, I am so thankful that I have a reliable vehicle. I remember my earlier days of having a vehicle that mostly worked, but when things went wrong - they went WRONG. I am so glad that when I go to work in the morning, I have no worries that the truck won't start or won't get to all the way to work.
Finally, I am so glad for finding this blog. I finally recognized that by me contributing just a little bit, I can help a smidge to keep it thriving. I probably lurked for over a year before jumping in. Thank you Kristen!
So glad you are participating! Yay!
And I'm glad you have a crazy cat to keep you entertained too. When you get used to an older cat, the energy of a younger one is quite astounding.
-I am thankful for my lavender plants that I put in pots this spring. I go out and admire them almost every morning and enjoy breaking off some just to smell it.
-I am grateful for my husband taking my youngest and most needy child on a trip for a few days which gave me a break
-Thankful that my oldest got her first summer job and is enjoying it
-Aerosol sunscreen is hard to find where I live (Norway) but I scored some in an online store and my kids tolerate it much better than the goopy cream kind. It's so much easier to put on too. Makes my summer days a little easier.
I didn't know that box turtle numbers were declining. We had one wander into our yard the other week, which was great fun for our kids. I think that was the first time it's ever happened.
This week I'm thankful:
* for rain! I was starting to feel like, "OK weather forecasters, I'll believe it when I see it." But we actually got rain yesterday.
* for playdates and time with friends.
* for access to lots of books and that one I requested through interlibrary loan came in extra fast this week.
* for the progress my son has made with speech therapy.
* for all of the perks my family receives because of my husband's job. They impact our life for the good on a pretty regular basis.
Thankful that:
Our friends in Vermont are safe and did not receive any damage from the major floods there.
That there is no rain in the forecast for them today or tomorrow.
Prayers requested for the crops, homes, and towns, that took a major beating. ♥
@st, I say Amen--not only for Vermont, but for the Hudson Valley in NY and all the other communities that got hit.
@A. Marie,
Oh yes!!
Grateful for many things this week:
-My husband uses the massage gun on my back side every evening. I've been running/working out a lot, and having quite a bit of tightness. I stretch, but the consistent use of the massage gun is a game changer. He's so much more patient than I am (and, I can't reach back there anyway).
-For the teens, having jobs this summer. This particular summer job works very well for them (even though the have to be up "early" each morning). It's a summer camp job, which means you work the weeks you are assigned, but full time each week. They also can take a week off (one teen attended a tennis camp) & camp only lasts six weeks, leaving a few extra weeks at the end of the summer for other summer shenanigans.
-For amazing parents, who are always so enthusiastic to host the teens during the summer. And, that my teens are equally excited to see their grandparents.
-I'm always grateful for leftovers during the work week. It's such a gift to just make a fresh salad, and then heat up various options for dinner, vs needing to make an entire dinner from scratch.
-I'm frustrated that a critter has eaten all of our zucchinis, but feeling happy that we finally have some tomatoes, peppers & lots of basil. Garden goodies are the best.
I am sorry you are still having some hard emotional days Kristen, but I am so glad that you have friends and family to lean on until the emotions pass. 🙁
This week's Five Thankful Things
- 1) Hosting a student from Spain for the month of July. Having youthful energy in the house 20 years after the last of my two girls left for college has been an amazing and joyous experience. She is so excited about everything that's been planned for her visit that it is allowing me to see things with a raised level of excitement as well. Going to the beach! Yoga in the park! Dinner in the backyard! Super sweet, and a reminder that living near the beach is indeed something to be thankful for daily. Which I think I am, but still.
- That while the heat has gone up this week, we are still much cooler at 75-80 than the toastier inland areas, some which will see 110-120 this week.
- That we are able to find contentment each day pursuing relatively simple activities like walks, bike rides, kayaking, and yoga along the beach, and through are low lying hills, depending. To be fair, we definitely will and do spend money for entertainment, but the bulk of our activities is comprised of simply moving our bodies in some form.
- That my mid-20's, newly married niece, seems to genuinely enjoy spending time with me. She found me on Facebook when she was 13, a complete but joyous surprise as I did not know of her existence (as you can imagine, the back story has a lot of unfortunate drama). But we have done our best to make up for lost time, and she was over last night for dinner, and to say 'goodbye' as she and her spouse head off soon to jobs in a new state. I will miss her, but we are already making plans to visit.
- July peaches and nectarines. The window for both of these being at peak is so short, but we are doing our best to enjoy them while we can.
Sometimes I think, "Hmm, I'm doing pretty well ." And then sometimes I fall apart and I realize that I still have a lot of healing to do.
I hear that this will get some better once the divorce is over, so I'm hoping for that to be true!
Yes, July stone fruit is so good!!
My body has actually started to crave my daily walks on the trails – I’m not sure what I’m going to do this winter when it gets to be too cold to go outside (it can get dangerously cold here during the winter) but I will worry about that once the school year starts. Until then, I will continue to enjoy the shady trails by my house each day.
I remembered how much I love zucchini chips! They are a bit of work/time to make, but they are delicious and a great way to get through summer’s overabundance of zucchini!
My son is attending a mock trial camp this week which has led to some fun conversations at the dinner table. My husband is an attorney so the two of them have been discussing everything that has been happening at camp and yesterday my son took a field trip to the law school where my husband teaches. They have been having a great time “nerding-out” together.
My company brought in an ice cream truck as a company wide event this week! Everyone was able to customize their ice cream and the weather was perfect for enjoying the treats outside.
Thankful for the gift of a rare date night with my husband. How lovely to sit down and have conversations that you can finish, express thoughts, concerns, make plans, laugh together and just love on one another. We don't get this chance often and I am so glad we did.
Thankful for the huge harvest we are getting from the garden. I will be canning tomatoes for sure this weekend.
Thankful that the work we are having done in our home is almost completed and I can start putting things back together this weekend. Having everything in disarray is really tough for me.
Thankful that it is almost time for school to start back. I have enjoyed the summer but I am craving more of a routine and August 2nd can't come soon enough.
I had a very hard workout on Monday and lots of emotions - anger, frustration, pain,
regret just came flooding out of me. I cried through most of the workout that felt like it would kill me. I am thankful for this episode as it gave me the chance to process all that is happening beyond the physical weight loss. Also thankful that despite feeling like the workout would kill me, it did not in fact kill me. I completed all that I was supposed to. It was painful but I am so grateful for the ability of my body to do things that I could not do one year ago. Progress is slow but I will not give up.
@Angie, I think it was in the "what I am into" post where you wrote that any extra moment you have is doing bootcamps and tracking macros. Your paragraph about that really inspired me to make some of my own changes with the time I have. I once read that if you want to make a big change in your life, it has to be a top priority. It sounds like you are there. Cheering you on!!
Young cats are such fun! I have a youngster myself and she has endless energy. Shelly is such a beauty. I love tuxedo kitties. My last tuxie lived to 20.
I, too, am thankful for central AC. I live in Canada and, contrary to what many believe, it gets hot, hot, hot and the humidity kills me. Though, thankfully, I live in one of the less humid places in Canada.
That the real estate market for condos in my area is picking up. Prices are rising and units are selling quickly. I've been wanting to move for a while.
That I have three days off next week so will have a five day stretch including the weekend.
That I have beautiful walking trails not far from my house along the river.
Thankful to whoever tucked that folded dollar bill inside the label on the plastic soda bottle I picked up on today's morning walk. Tips for my bottlepicking services are always appreciated. 🙂
Thankful to the neighbors whose ornery cat I fed for two weeks while they were vacationing in Portugal, for bringing me back a bottle of very fine port indeed. (They're well aware that this cat is a PITA and were appreciative of my efforts.)
Thankful for the most beautiful flower gardens I've had since I made the switch to growing primarily flowers (plus herbs, garlic, bunching onions, and kale). My "Jacob Cline" red monarda (aka beebalm) is an absolute showstopper this year.
And thankful that the first two Sungold cherry tomatoes are ripening behind the 8-foot chain-link fence at my next-door neighbor's. (Also thankful that we're growing them behind the fence. One branch of this tomato plant is sticking out through the fence--and some passing Bamboid nipped it off last night!)
@A. Marie, I had to do a rather Rube Goldberg arrangement of bamboo stakes and jute twine to keep my cherry tomato plants from being twisted out of the huge pots by the storms we've had. They have produced enough ripe tomatoes so far to recoup the investment in the plants, though.
@A. Marie,
Your first one - I've never heard of anyone tucking a bill in a bottle's label! What a neat thing to do - or find!
@JD, I was astonished myself. But I'm sure it's something someone absentmindedly did with the change from buying the soda. No matter, though; I accept coins (or bills) of the realm any way I find them.
Very grateful that the heat and humidity have eased for the time being so I could turn off the A/C for a few days. It's so nice to have the windows open! Also very thankful that I'm able to fly to Encinitas to visit family next week -- my son's miles really add up to almost free tickets. Thankful for the farmers' market, Michigan strawberries are almost gone, but here come the cherries. Grateful for my dog groomer this week, since Daisy Mae got skunked on Saturday night and I can't quite remove the smell, although it might be ingrained in my sinus cavities by now. Finally, thankful for small town medical care, it's relatively easy to get appointments for routine matters without a wait.
So many things, large and small.
I’m so grateful for Alcoholics Anonymous, that my husband uses to stay sober, a day at a time.
I am grateful for my husband, who is a wonderful listener, funny and kind.
I’m grateful that our daughter, 22, who is generally estranged from us, has communicated more this week.
I’m grateful that my roses are still hanging in, despite the arrival of those *****! Japanese beetles.
I’m grateful that as a retired medical reporter, I get to help people and have fun by writing and taking photographs for my blog about prediabetes.
I’m grateful for my subscription to the New York Times “Spelling Bee,” which provides a half hour of stimulating fun in the evenings!
@Kathy L, I'm glad for all your gratefuls. And I share your feelings about the @#$!! Japanese beetles (which are trying to turn my zinnias into fine old Belgian lace, although I collect as many as I can and have a stomping session every day) and the NYT Spelling Bee. After I canceled DH's NYT subscription, I succumbed to the lure of a subscription for $50 for one year with Games, Cooking, etc., included. But I made a note (in a place where I know I'll find it) of the date to cancel this subscription. I hope I can keep things rolling over from then on.
@A. Marie,
That's a sweet NYT deal! The best they offered me was $25/month for the "all inclusive" subscription....no, thanks. I did get the "Games" subscription for $20/year. Love doing the crossword, Wordle, and Spelling Bee!
Thankful that:
* my husband returned safe from work travel.
* my adult children enjoy each other's company.
* for the beautiful sunshine, green grass, gorgeous flowers. I live in a state with
lllooonnngg winters. I am storing up as much sunshine as I can!
* for my dogs & cat who make life entertaining and ensure we never have a dull moment!
* for my job. I have an amazing boss and great coworkers.
* for my hubby being handy. He is currently redoing our shower, saving us both time and
money.
* for this blog. It always encourages me!! Thank you, Kristen!
Is Shelly & Chiquita getting used to each other?
May those that love us, love us, & for those that don't love us, may God turn their hearts, and if he can't turn their hearts, may he turn their ankles so we know them by their limping.
I always liked this Irish saying.
@Tiana,
And for Irvin the wild kitten at Pearls Ragdolls. https://m.facebook.com/pearlsragdolls
Haha, I have never heard this one before but I like it.
@Tiana, Oh! LOVE this! 🙂
@Tiana, thank you for sharing this Irish saying. I will add it to my blog post at the end of the month when I list things I have learned.
I had a grumpy week. Major car troubles. Young adult children issues. Slept terribly.
When I woke up today I decided to try VERY HARD to move onward.
I am thankful for nice cool nights and being able to sleep with the window open! Glorious
I am thankful for seeing deer , monarch butterflies and yellow finches on my morning bike rides.
I am thankful to celebrate my dear SIL 70th bday this weekend. She is THE BEST!
I am thankful for a good weather forecast for our camping trip! We will have fun either way but 80 degrees and sunny is much more enjoyable at the beach than rain.
I am thankful we did finally get some rain! It has been very dry and the plants needed it.
I am thankful for the free activities offered at our library this summer. The kids have really enjoyed all the free shows.
I am thankful for Zumba class. It is just so much fun.
I am thankful for all the delicious berries growing freely around us we have been really enjoying the mulberries and black raspberries.
Here are my Thankfuls:
Thankful that you, Kristen, have such a caring group of family, friends, and community in this blog.
Thankful that we went on vacation last week with all 3 of my kids. My older two are out of the house (one is in college) and we are not always all together. I most appreciate it for my youngest son who misses the company of his older siblings.
Thankful for trying to stick to a regular routine of walking my dog and getting my physical therapy exercises done most every day.
Thankful for a fun dinner out with work friends last night. We work in a school, and miss seeing each other during the summer.
Thankful for my DH. He is always supportive of me and a great cheerleader.
For the group I sing with - Rock Voices. It's absolute fun and joy every week! Check them out: https://www.rockvoices.com/
@Steph H, that Rock Voices looks so fun!! It is the songs of my high school days. . . the groups in the '70s truly knew how to sing and had such great harmonies.
@Central Calif. Artist, glad you checked it out! The songs are great, aren't they?! It's a wonderful community! We have 3 performances a year, and our next song list will be released shortly.
@Steph H, Checked out your link to Rock Voices! Ohhh, that brings back such wonderful memories! The '70s had the BEST love songs!! I just swayed and sang here in my computer chair. I was in my 20s--lots of angst and heartbreaks, but soo soooo many sweet times, too.
I have an all black doggie and he doesn't photograph well either. But he's super cute in person!
I am indeed very glad to see Shelly! 🙂
This unrelenting heat wave has really zapped my energy and I've been feeling like I am not getting as much done as I had hoped to this summer. This Thursday I am thankful for...
That we finally got some much-needed rain. I love the scent of creosote after a rainstorm!
That my partner tries his best to maintain our pool clean even though its a lot of work. After a stressful day, I can look up at a clear blue sky as I float in the water letting go of my worries as much as I can.
Dozing off to a short nap after work in my air-conditioned, dark living room.
All the kind teenagers working first-time summer jobs that I've encountered in various fast food drive-through windows.
I absolutely shredded my right Achilles tendon about three weeks ago and had surgery two weeks ago. So my life has been absolutely upended in the space of less than a month and to be honest, I have been more angry and frustrated than I can remember. I am doing better and adapting, but the frustration meltdowns still happen. So I am really, really glad to have this weekly post that even though my life skews on the sucky side right now, I have a lot to be thankful for.
1. A trainer. I am non weight bearing for about six weeks and on crutches, so in an effort to stay active, I have a trainer I am seeing a few times a week. It also gives me a sense of structure to my days and helps build up my upper body strength bc crutches are no joke. (Also, pro tip....if you get you doctor to right a medical necessity note; personal trainers are a tax write off)
2. Turkey bacon. Both my trainer and my doctor told me to increase my protein intake bc I have major muscle, tendon and nerve damage to heal. And holy crap do I love turkey bacon.
3. iWalk. I call it my peg leg (basically a half crutch I strap to my lower leg) but it allows me the freedom to use my hands so I don't just feel like an attractive paperweight at home.
4. Upstairs laundry. WE FINALLY DID IT!!! After months of construction, the useless space upstairs is a real, live laundry room. And with me being the one-leg wonder, it couldn't be better timing.
5. Time. I am on disability until October and this is the most time I have had "off" since I was in school. Normally, I fill my off time with projects and activities, but a lot of those are limited because of my mobility. I am being forced to slow down, take a breathe and just have time. I am still struggling with it but I am trying to be grateful.
I can imagine how frustrating this must be! How did you shred it? I hope you at least got a good story out of it.
@Heather, that is such a hitch in your git along. Dang it! I've had two big injuries in the past that put me on crutches, and it is really frustrating. Everything takes three times as long to do, IF you can actually do it. I entertained myself by finding ways to get stuff done, like bring a package up our long driveway by whacking it ahead with the crutches, and figuring out how to get a full cup of coffee from the kitchen to the living room: Set it here, crutch as far as possible to where it is still reachable, pick it up with the right hand, transfer to the left, and reach as far as possible with the left to set it in the next spot.
Sigh. Learning to knit helped. And books, lots of books. (Both injuries were pre-internet at my house.)
@Kristen,
Trail running. Which is something I do pretty regularly, I moved the wrong way (and had some pre-existing ankle instability from a sprain I think) and POP. You can hear it happen which is the worst.
I bet that is a horrifying sound!
I always enjoy reading your Thankfulness posts! It's such a good thing to intentionally focus on the positive, especially when all things are not necessarily all roses.
1. I am thankful that after a month of wondering if my mom's cancer had returned, she had a follow up blood test that was normal!
2. I felt a cool breeze this morning when I got up, which helped the awful humidity to feel less ...awful!
3. We have had some nice rains recently, and the corn is quickly growing to more normal heights for this time of year
4. I'm thankful more my garden! It's therapeutic for me to get my hands in the dirt ND atisfying to watch things grow that can feed our family
5. I'm thankful for a job that has variety that stretches me and keeps me from getting bored!
So thankful for this Thursday routine!
Thankful for friends help to cut up a huge branch and move it to the side street for pickup. Sweetened the deal by letting the guy use my new reciprocating saw with pruning blade and giving he and his wife a plum cake. He thoroughly enjoyed using the saw. I likened it to giving away an apple core to whitewash a fence!
Thankful for fresh local produce. Having a delicious cantaloupe and sweet corn are two of my many favorite summer foods. After being raised by a farmer Dad who loved sweet corn, it baffles me that I seem to be the only sibling that can't have summer without the buttered face and kernels between my teeth. And thankful for tomatoes!
Trying to be thankful for a Doctor's visit yesterday. Audiologist recommended I see an ENT for complaints of my right ear. After describing my issues to the check-in nurse, the Doctor came in "already knowing" what my problem was. While he was right, the fact that he made me feel I wasted his time still does not sit well. I am thankful for the recommendations he gave to remedy the issue. More thankful still that I have enough sense as a nurse that I can modify them to the reality of my lifestyle. And that it is MY choice whether to make the return visit or not.
I'm thankful we were able to get into the higher mountains one day to hike -- a nice break from the heat.
I'm thrilled that my older dog did great on the hike. He really slowed down in the spring, but a change in medication has him back to his energetic self.
For friends. We're going out to a free concert tonight with two couples in the neighborhood. So nice to have good friends close by.
For the church choir I'm a part of. We have a wonderful director who is always challenging us with new things and we have such a fun group.
For a comfortable home.
Today I am thankful that:
--although the skies are very smoky from forest fires, I am not on evacuation alert
--my friends came to visit last week before the smoke got so bad
--I have vacation with time to read lot of books
--there is all the lovely fresh fruit available at this time of year
--I have the chance to be creative
--I have parties and celebrations to look forward to in the next several weeks
--we have such a lovely local farmer's market with yummy foods
I'm thankful that Portland never has mugginess issues or poison ivy. 😉
Oh yeah, when I think of a dry place, Portland definitely comes to mind. 😉
Although I hear your summer weather is to die for!
Thankful for:
1. Strawberries.
2. Not living in the areas of the US suffering with extreme heat. We have been in the 60s all month and when I watch the news I cannot imagine living in triple digit heat.
3. A friend who dropped off a jar of preserved garlic. We both love garlic so when one of us sees a new type or a new way to preserve garlic, we buy one for each other.
4. For a dentist who took me in right away when the back of my front tooth literally peeled off. He said he had never seen that but he managed to salvage the front by drippling tiny holes in what was left so that the filling would have something to grip onto and stay stable.
5. For the woman who came up to me at a concert and asked if I was the wife of X (I never took his name so sometimes people do not realize we are related). When I said yes, she said, "I just want you to know that I heard him talking about you to someone the other day and he just went on and on about how wonderful you are and how he adores you." Of course, then she sort of ruined it by saying, "Listening to him, I would never have known you are in a wheelchair." Then I go mad at myself because I very, VERY seldom cannot think of a snappy response when a comment is just begging for one, but this time I was so taken aback that I just sat there wondering what the hell is the matter with people. But it was nice to hear that he says nice things about me to others.
6. For the husband, always the husband, who loves me in or out of a wheelchair.
The picture of Chiquita in the dresser drawer doesn't even look real! So funny. Our cat always walked on my husband's laptop keyboard when he was working from home. Somehow he managed to change the screensaver by doing that.
Thankful for my dentist. We were supposed to leave on a trip Friday morning, and Thursday at supper, one of my crowns on my teeth fell off. The dentist got me in first thing Friday morning and we were on our way!
Thankful for a wonderful weekend--we visited my son and in-laws. My son is doing a paid internship about 1 hour away from his grandparents, which has been a nice situation for all involved. It was good to see everyone.
Thankful for the rain yesterday. We sure need it.
Thankful that I happened to spot an escapee dog at our church yesterday. Managed to get ahold of its leash and coax it to me, as well as locate the owner. The dog was running towards a busy road and it could have been an ugly situation, so I'm glad it all worked out.
@Kris, once my kitty did something so my computer was completely in Korean!
@Karen, gotta love kitty cat antics!
Thankful for:
*having spent the day with my youngest (11 yo) and having a really long interesting conversation with her
* Buy Nothing
* Movie theater mistake that gave me 2 free tickets to compensate
* Being easily replaced when I can't cometo work
* New car driving well
I am thankful for the lovely baby shower my mom threw last weekend. It was mostly family and some of the women from church and home school years. These were the women who helped raise me and it was wonderful to see them again. They are also skilled quilters so my baby has some of the most beautiful burps clothes and swaddle blankets.
I am thankful for our AC and (new) bedroom fan. Moving air really helps me feel comfortable enough to get some sleep.
I am thankful that my back pain is greatly reduced. I had about 6 weeks in which walking and lying in bed was very painful but things have improved. I'm not sure whether the baby shifted or all of the stretching/ice/balance ball time finally "worked" but it is so nice to be able to move without pain.
I am thankful to have had almost a week with decent sleep. Everything feels much easier after a decent night of sleep.
I am thankful to have several enjoyable audiobooks in the queue.
@Rebekah in SoCal, So glad that you're experiencing less back pain.
- Thankful we have purchased our airline tickets for our upcoming vacation.
- Thankful that we are fortunate enough to be able to spend a little more to not have to fly out at 5:30 AM without stressing over the additional cost.
- Thankful that we found someone to dog-sit for us while we are gone. The sitter will keep our girl at her home and I think she will be well cared for.
- Thankful that I got to have brunch with our daughter last weekend.
- Thankful that DH realized our driver's licenses expired today and I was able to renew mine quickly. I was in and out of the license office in less than 10 minutes.
So thankful:
1. for running water (and hoping our neighborhood water system doesn't go down this year as it has the past 2 summers).
2. for central A/C AND the mini-split in the bedroom so I can turn off the whole house system at night.
3. that nothing bad happened when I forgot that I had a jury summons! FORGOT!
4. that Deer Out seems to be keeping my geraniums intact from the mighty jaws of those giant roaming mooching rats, AKA deer.
Some cats are just clowns. One of mine is. I’m especially grateful for him on bad days when cheers me up with his antics
Thank you for the update on Miss Shelly and the photos!! Hope she and Chiquita become friends at some point!
I’m thankful my husband and I had safe travels this past weekend when we gathered with his side of the family.I’m thankful for wonderful conversations with family members we hadn’t seen much recently.
I’m thankful for air conditioning in our cars and in our home. I grew up in a home that had no air conditioning. At night, to help us sleep, we did have a hall fan that circulated air but it was still very difficult to sleep in summer heat.
I’m thankful for a skilled car mechanic who lives nearby. He has diagnosed and fixed so many troubles in our older cars.
It’s not even his main job; he just loves working on cars. He is always quick to respond when we ask him about our car trouble. He always has an affordable repair or sound advice if something is needed beyond his expertise.
A day late, but no less thankful! I love reading everyone's gratitudes; it reminds me of the things I sometimes take for granted, but shouldn't.
This week I am thankful again for my Vet: Associated gratefulness: sleeping/anxiety meds for my dog, which means quality sleep for all again; that she can go up and down the steps without being carried again; that she can be off leash in the house, which does calm her a lot.
A new women's study group at church for Sunday nights. It's on being Anchored when life comes at you, and the sharing among these women of all ages and life stages is so precious and uplifting.
And thankful for thrift stores, and farmers' markets, delivery and postal workers; fabric that I still have from when I was working, ebooks, rainy nights that keep this valley green and keep the produce growing, and fresh tomatoes(!), iced tea, water, and lemonade--all with sprigs of mint from my plants.
I don’t often comment here, but it is good to acknowledge what we are thankful for.
1. Thankful to have completed a big garden project today. It was a lot of work, but looks so pretty and I’m sure will bring me much joy!
2. Thankful that the seemingly endless string of rainy days in Maine has ended, for now anyway!
3. Thankful that my mother was pleasant and cooperative when I had to take her to the doctor yesterday. Also thankful for a brother and sisters who help with her care.
4. Thankful for good dental care and a hygienist who is kind and skilled.
5. Thankful for a good plumber who years ago talked us into a kind of expensive kitchen faucet because it had a lifetime warranty. We have had to use that warranty twice, this week for a $50 part, and sure enough, no cost to us and a very pleasant lady on the phone to help!
6. Ever thankful for my husband, always happy and so good to me and my mother, he cooks many of our meals and always helps with the clean up. I am one lucky gal!
Chiquita is a Calico! I have one too. They tend to be feisty and full of blue mud!
Kristen, I'm with you on the muggy weather, ewwww. Like you, I focus on cool temp showers and a little overhead fan. Don't forget to drink a lot more water as well!
I'm so thankful to have found an awesome Tahini Sauce recipe that made using up my veggie drawer contents yummy, I just wrap it up in a flatbread and pour sauce all over it, so yummy.
I'm thankful for downtime to review my habits and begin an exploration on what small things I can do to improve my eating, exercise and spending month by month.
and of course, Coffee
Karen