Thankful Thursday | My power stayed on
You guys. When I heard the snow was going to be followed by a few hours of freezing rain/sleet, I was SO SURE my power was going to go off.
I thought everything was going to stick to the trees and the power lines, which would have been an almost guaranteed power outage.
But nothing stuck to the trees! Or the power lines! Amazing.
So, thankfully, my power stayed on. And since I'd already braced myself for a chilly outage, this felt like a serious blessing. Yay!
In other thankful news, I am grateful:
for my sweet neighbors Donna and Hank
I thoroughly dug my van out on Sunday, but overnight, freezing rain came down, and on Monday morning when I tried to go to work, I promptly got stuck in a snowdrift on the other side of the street.
Hank and Donna had told me I could wake them up if I needed help getting to work, so I sheepishly rang their doorbell at 6:30 am.
"My van is stuck in the road!!"
Thankfully, they helped me get my van BACK onto the parking pad.
Then the three of us worked together to dig out their driveway and their 4-wheel drive truck. Then Hank kindly drove me to work and also picked me up afterward.
I have never been late to work in my life, but I was an hour and a half late on Monday. I had called ahead, of course, and when I arrived (very late!) they were honestly just happy I showed up at all. Ha.
that I can get out now
I volunteered to swap a later-in-the-week shift so that I could go in on Tuesday to help out, and thankfully that time I was able to successfully get on to the road. Woohoo!
that I still have my van
I love my Civic, of course, but my van is much better for the current circumstances because it is much higher up off the ground. I'm so glad I hung onto it.
My Civic is actually still snowed in/iced in, and I'm just going to leave it for now. My van can get me through until things melt more.
for my metal shovel
Book Club Elaine's husband gave me one of his extra shovels a while back, and boy, was I grateful for it this week! The freezing rain left a very thick coating of ice atop the snow, and a regular snow shovel is no good with the ice.
Zoe and I had to work together to get it done; I broke up the ice with the metal shovel and tossed the big chunks out of the way, and she followed me with the regular snow shovel.
Thank you for the shovel, Mr. Book Club Elaine!
that my gym provided shelter
We are in the midst of a streak of unusually cold weather for our area.
So, when I made it back to the gym yesterday, and my heart was warmed to see that the auxiliary gym was full of cots so that people without homes could sleep there.
(My gym is a city-run rec center, which is why they can do things like this.)
Do you ever see instances of people helping others and just find it so moving? I teared up at the sight of the aux gym setup, thinking what a relief it must be for these people to have a warm place to go.
Helping others is beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.
for friends who listen to my frustrations
I have a wide collection of friends that I can text when I need to vent, and I am grateful. You know how sometimes you need to engage in a very specific vent session, and it's over something not everyone would understand? It's so great to have someone at the ready who will immediately "get" it.
(I hope it goes without saying, but since this is the internet, where things are often incorrectly assumed, I'll clarify: I am, of course, always willing to be on the receiving end of this for my friends as well.)
for my Snoopy keychain
Zoe had given me a Snoopy keychain at Christmas, and the other day I realized the perfect use for it: corralling my work clamps and scissors.
This makes it pretty hard to accidentally leave them behind. And even if I DO leave them behind in a room, my coworkers will immediately know who these scissors belong to.
And that's because I am the Snoopy-est nurse on the unit!
Good morning everyone 🙂 Also, really thankful here for our power staying on!
Thoroughly grateful for my son doing the lion's share of our driveway on Monday. We left it safely covered with snow Sunday so the ice couldn't adhere to the driveway. I broke it up with my shovel, and he moved it. I dug out his car and cleared it as a thankyou. And very thankful that our school district called a snowday for Monday on Sunday, and then also a 2 hr delay on Tuesday for cold temps, but I think it was also to give facilities a couple more hours to clear snow because it's been colder yesterday and today. Whatever, it was welcome!
Hope everyone made it safely through the storm. Remember the golden rule of winter storms--plan ahead & stay safely inside if possible.
Gotta go--7 am start time on school.
I'm so early there's no comments for me to read. I love reading the comments on thankful Thursday. I'm glad to be here. Thankful that I have a car that works. Thankful I didn't have to drive in the snow/ice. I personally don't have a problem with it but I live in an area that other people aren't used to it. So it could be a problem. I was glad I didn't have to go anywhere.
Oh, it has been a week here, so I'm digging deep for thankfuls.
--Very thankful, like Kristen, that our power stayed on, because though we didn't get ice (another thankful!), high winds were predicted, and we often lose power then. But amazingly, nobody in our area was affected by power outages per the outage map!
--That the 14 inches of snow was the light, dry, fluffy kind, so even though we were down to two snow shovelers due to all the boys being sick, DH and I were able to dig out the cars.
--That the military base closed to all but essential personnel for two days, so that DH could be home and not have to drive the day after the snowstorm!
--For the plows that made it down our cul-de-sac.
--For friends who encouraged me when I was fretting about my phone interview (it went well and I have an in-person interview tomorrow at the facility), and who say such nice things it makes me a little teary sometimes.
--That when I burned DS#4's grilled cheeses, I was making two, so I could take off the burned sides and make one good sandwich out of the two burned ones. (I said I was digging deep!)
--For the extra blankets DH ordered just before the snowstorm and deep cold; it's so nice to have extras while we're watching TV. He got one for everyone, including Clark, who has decided he's actually a lap cat as long as he can sneak under my blanket so nobody sees him snuggling. (Last night he was actually purring under there, and he is not a purring sort of cat!)
--For DS#2, who got over his illness faster than the other boys, and is being a great help, clearing more snow, checking on the invalids and just in general being supportive and encouraging.
Oh Clark, you sneaky rascal. We'll keep it just amongst us FGers that you actually are a teddy bear. 😸
Clark, you are fooling NO ONE. 🙂 We all knew you were a lap cat at heart, but we'll keep it quiet so as not to ruin your rep. 🙂
Well, perhaps Commodore Fluffington just wants to add "submariner" to his CV? U.S. Navy, take notice...
The Snoopy-est nurse sounds like a great thing to be!
1. I'm thankful that I went for a run yesterday. It was very cold with a freezing wind but I ran further than I expected and felt accomplished afterwards. I also went to a yoga class after I got back.
2. I have almost finished editing a paper I have to write for work and I'm very thankful to Past Me for writing a draft in December.
3. I went to see Eternity at the cinema with a friend. It was a very sweet film and a fun evening out!
4. I'm thankful that a dental appointment is done. I didn't exactly enjoy being there for 8AM but at least it was over with early!
5. I'm thankful that a new bread recipe I tried turned out so well!
My sibling and partner will be staying over for the weekend and we always love having them! And jointly we will be visiting mutual friends, which makes it all the better.
Thankful too for some interesting quotes yesterday, bringing me on the path of modern poetry again ( I have a shelf of poetry, that has been neglected a bit while I was voraciously reading novels from the library).
For the library ofcourse, easy access to all kinds of reading materials.
That my husband has reduced his working hours as starting Jan., which will give him the rest he needs while still having the security and collaboration he also needs.
That he got a pay rise, so the salary % we are missing is slightly smaller.
That our dear cat still plays like a kitten. I am now reading a book on the evolution of the feline species (plural) and how smaller cats came to live with humans. It terribly interesting and I am gratified to read scientific proof of all kinds of skills and behaviour we can observe on a daily basis. Lions the king of animals? Here lives the queen.
I’d love to read that book! Can you share the title?
It was published as recently as September 25 and has not been translated into English yet. I will keep an eye out and will let the commentariat (with its wide experience of cats) know if and when that happens!
I, too, would love to have that title if and when it is translated, for my DIL and granddaughter, both of whom love their kitties dearly. Many thanks!
Thank you! I also would like to read it. I am blessed beyond measure to live with Bella. She is small of stature, round of belly, a little lame, and magnificent in every way. A queen indeed!
What is the original language? I can read several but only speak 1. It has something to do with how my brain processes information.
Dutch would be my guess, as JNL is in The Netherlands. 😊
Mr. Book Club is still blissfully sleeping as I write, but I'll be sure to let him know how well his old shovel is performing.
There is much to be thankful for:
-- Yesterday my two sisters and I got together to celebrate my middle sister's birthday. Instead of going out to eat, we hung out at Birthday Girl's home and ate a delicious soup and tiny gluten-free cake that Baby Sister had made. Then we learned a new skill together, soap making! I am thankful for the best sisters in the world.
--Like Kristen, I am very thankful that we did not lose power (but I am a bit concerned with the next storm, predicted to hit this weekend).
--Online yoga classes. I found myself noisily sighing out loud frequently by housebound day number 2, very annoying. A bit of exercise gave instant relief.
--Free long distance phone calls. This sounds silly to you younger folks, but it was real budget buster back in the day.
--That I did not get rid of my sewing machine. I no longer enjoy the process of sewing so I seriously considered being rid of it. But this week I used it to put a new waistband in my husband's favorite flannel pajama bottoms, not a fun project. But what satisfaction when it was done! I need to remind myself more often that I can do hard things and that my future self will be thankful.
Yes, Elaine! I felt the same when it took me weeks to sew in my removable bra cups (iykyk). But then I did it finally. And of course, it didn't even take that long, and now I can use the bra I actually bought because I needed it! I find myself constantly weighing how to balance rest/self-care with the attitude of "just do it anyway" so I'll thank myself later.
Heather I never thought to just sew those dang things in, what an amazing idea!!! Thank you for that!
Haha I can't be the only one who wants to start this movement. Would companies PLEASE sew them in and then make them easily removable? Wouldn't it be so much better if someone wants them removable to simply cut the stitches? Universe, clothing companies, hear me...........(Ok I haven't been shouting very loud. Mostly just to myself).
I'm not talking about actual padding, more like shape. I always want them, always need them, have never once removed those pads because I didn't want them in there. Have a million times wasted my life fighting with them when they get all misshapen and ridiculous and come out in the washing machine.
I sewed in the whole lot of mine awhile back - a wonderful improvement, lol!!
OMG I never thought to sew them in. I removed them from both my bathsuit tops because I couldn't take it anymore. So now I am the nipple queen. But I am in the We Do Not Care Club so........
@Joyce -- the "nipple queen"...that made me laugh so hard!!! I am also in the We Do Not Care Club!!
I use a lingerie bag to wash all my bras. That helps keep the "creeping inserts" in their proper places! But I also hate them with the "white hot intensity of 10,000 suns". Cheers reference, anyone?? 🙂
You can’t have the best sisters in the world because I do! (middle of 3)
YES to free LD calls!
YES to keeping the sewing machine in spite of only using it to mend or hem occasionally. (Sister #1 said she’d “kill” me if I ever got rid of it so there’s another incentive to not sell the thing.)
My sister #2 won't kill me, she actually wants to buy my sewing machine because it is a regular Bernina and she has a long arm machine which I can't imagine the difficulty using. I may loan it to her...
Also in the rarely use the sewing machine club. My solution finally was to move it, the iron and ironing board to a "storage" closet in our home office. That way I don't have to see them or work around them but they are still there for mending.
I am going to have to step up that I have the best sisters!! (And also the middle of 3!)
Thank you so much for this series. After another restless night worrying about money, I was reminded of all that I have to be grateful for, even if it's just for the littlest things like Snoopy keychains. I am grateful that you write a Thankful Thursday post and share it with us. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Lynn, I’m familiar with these types of restless nights! When the monthly bill payment approaches it’s hard to turn the mental juggling off! It does feel good to come here and find comfort in thankfulness!
What lovely neighbors! What a blessing and I am not shocked your job was understanding! My daughter had an early morning shift on Sunday in the early hours of the NE snow dump. She was 1 of only 2 STNA's who showed- 4 called out! Her dad drove her in knowing it would be worse mid afternoon- so when we knew she could leave and was not forced to stay longer we ventured out to get her. She was offered a $35/h bonus to stay 4 additional hours as there were later call outs but she declined and offered to the other girl. When dad asked her why she said " I love money (college kid) but she needs to get (her and kids)out of a crappy relationship and needs the money for a new apartment. Plus I want to take a nap"
Made my mama heart happy that she is smart, level headed and a good person all the way around!
Jess, you have a daughter to be proud of!
That was so kind of your daughter! And naps ROCK. 🙂
So much snow! And Ice! I hope the region thaws out soon.
Thankfuls
1. Sleep. In recent years sleep has proved difficult. But it’s not been a problem the last several months.
2. Pretty fabric—I just got some to make a quilt for my daughter. And the fabric came with a booklet of quilt block instructions which warmed my heart too.
3. Tea. I can drink it all day without fear of it waking me up in the night. And it soothes my dry throat (forces air + *very* cold temperatures are not a good combo)
4. Good books. I read constantly, but still am finding interesting books that expand my horizons and keep me wanting to read.
- I'm thankful for neighbors. For Kristen's, A. Marie's, and all of you who mention good neighbors. It's so nice when we can look out for one another and is really the stuff of life.
- I'm thankful for the snow and so far 4 days off this week!
- Unlike many, I'm thankful that my driveway is steep, a little long, and currently shovel-resistant (the inches of sleet have frozen into a concrete-like consistency). Barring an emergency, it's the perfect excuse to spend days on end at home, my favorite place to be. (And if emergency, grateful for the 4WD truck in the garage).
- Grateful that my home is my favorite place to be.
- Grateful that Call the Midwife is accessible to me again! Thanks for all your access tips! We decided there is enough on Netflix that we watch/enjoy to make the cheapest plan with ads a reasonable budget addition ($8/mo). Not every show or movie even has ads, and honestly I'm even grateful for them. They prompt me to get up and stretch, catch up with a text, etc. Like built-in reminders to myself - are you SURE it's in your best interest to keep watching? 😉
Kristen, your new car is still beautiful, even buried in the snow. 🙂 And yay for keeping old vans. We kept our 2006 Sienna and took all of the back seats out (they are stored in the garage if we ever need them). It functions kind of like an enclosed truck -- we haul a lot of stuff (furniture finds, massive loads to be donated, junk, etc.). It's been hugely useful and property taxes & insurance are incredibly cheap at this point.
--So thankful we didn't lose power here in Richmond, either.
--I'm thankful I've been able to *finally* make progress on a project I've been putting off, largely due to deciding it had to achieve some arbitrary measure of perfection. But I embraced a "done is better than perfect" attitude and it's moving right along. Ironically, it's turning out better than I expected, so bonus!
--I'm thankful for snuggly dogs when the weather is cold & we're trapped inside.
--I'm thankful for enough.
--I'm thankful for the people in my community who are working together to take care of others. It's renewing my faith in all sorts of things.
Beth and Kristen,
I once temped for an insurance agent. He told a client to keep this (client's) old battered fishing truck because having 2 vehicles qualify you for a multi-car discount. (The client had just bought a high-dollar sports car, which would have been astronomically expensive to insure by itself. Keeping his beater lowered the price by a lot.)
BTW, Beth, I also used to have a van with the back seat taken out. I miss it! It made a great hauler. Sadly, its electrical system got all wonky and after many attempted repairs, I gave up.
That's an excellent point I hadn't considered, Lisa.
We're digging out of the ice too, so lot of snow-related things to be thankful for!
1. That we had multiple types of shovels to dig ourselves out of ice and snow.
2. My husband. He has worked so hard to get all 4 of our cars dug out, our sidewalks dug out (we have a handicap family member with several medical appointments weekly, so this was our #1 priority), a dog path dug out, our mailbox dug out and then he started helping our elderly neighbors. AND he did all this plus his day job. Just to be clear, I did help for many, many hours, he just did WAY more than I, or our daughters did combined.
3. Health. I'm so grateful my husband, daughter and I are healthy enough to put in the hours and hours of shoveling without risk of injury.
4. Heat/Oil company. I was so glad our oil company proactively filled up our tank prior to the snow storm despite not being scheduled until the following week.
5. My snow boots. I bought these boots from Walmart for $20 in 1999. They are still in great condition and serve me well every time I use them. I may have to replace the shoe laces at some point, but I probably have a few years left in them.
-We got over 19 inches of snow and I am grateful for my husband who went out multiple times during Sunday to keep the snow manageable not only for us but for our elderly neighbor.
-I am grateful for all of the workers who cleared the roads so that we can all make it to work/school by Tuesday.
-Extremely thankful for a warm home and food on the table so that the cold weather was a cozy excuse to snuggle in together rather than a life-threatening or miserable situation.
Along with many of the rest of you, I'm grateful for no power loss last weekend. And I'm also grateful for 12" of just fluffy snow (no ice), for the DPW's keeping up reasonably well (considering equipment and personnel shortages) with plowing our cul-de-sac, and for King James my personal snow wizard.
Grateful as well that the 1.5-hour interruption in my home Internet service here early Tuesday morning was temporary (I think Spectrum must have been doing an upgrade). My first mental question was "No Internet? How am I supposed to read the FG and the NCA???" (Remember that I don't have a smartphone.)
Grateful also, as always, for these two blogs!
Finally, grateful for noticeably increasing daylight. We're gaining it at the rate of over 2 minutes a day now. (I commiserate with Lindsey on this, however--and I send continuing good thoughts to her, the husband, and the dogs.)
I gnash my teeth and will continue to gnash my teeth until this deploy code every two weeks insanity stops. There is not enough time to thoroughly test changes in two week "sprints". I've seen this agile crap get thrown to the trash heep twice in my career, may I work long enough to see it die a third time. But eh, what do we peeps who've worked in IT for close to 50 years know?
Hi Marie! What is the NCA blog you are referencing? I tried to look it up but cannot find anything non-sports related. Thank you!
My friend Katy's blog! https://thenonconsumeradvocate.com/
Thank you!
A reminder, Kristen, go out & run the Honda for a few minutes during this cold - a dead battery is a pain. Experience!
Make sure the exhaust pipe is clear of snow before you start the car, you don't want carbon monoxide backing up and leaking into the car.
True enough about starting the car every couple of days during a cold snap. I let more than one battery die from not doing that before I became Ms. Click & Clack under duress.
I too am thankful the electricity stayed on. We received inches of sleet on top of inches of snow. Our old snowblower was a help with the driveway and sidewalk but there was still a of shoveling required. I am thankful for the snow blower, our old ice chopper, the coal shovel, and our regular snow shovels. All have been used this week.
I am thankful for the quiet that comes with a major winter storm and also for all the neighborliness. People helping each other out, people out visiting, kids enjoying snow, sledding, and snow days.
I am thankful our street was plowed on Monday and Tuesday and we were able to attend our commitments on Tuesday. I am thankful DH has virtual work this week.
I am thankful for health that allows me to deal with winter storms.
I am thankful that yesterday saw the resumption of a normal schedule.
I drove home at no more than 25 miles an hour on Monday, soooo thankful for my Subaru that has a setting which gives a controlled drive on icy roads. I am a huge ninny about driving in such conditions as I got stuck in my van, trying to get to the hospital in downtown Austin, almost 30 years ago. It was like driving a giant Saltines box. Never again. My thankfulness today is:
*a warm house, good coffee, my own bed to sleep in, and another beautiful day of sun ahead.
*working appliances!
*less shoulder pain
The little things in life - including the best of neighbors - are really the biggest.
- I’m thankful we didn’t get any ice, just 6.5” of fluffy snow.
- We are in extreme drought so I am very thankful for any precipitation in general.
- My kids didn’t have school Friday or Monday and my husband worked at home both days, so we got to have a lot of extra time together. Bonus, no one had to drive on the roads at their worst.
- To continue on the weather theme … I’m very glad I’m enjoying participating in CoCoRaHS (Collaborative Community Rain, Hail, and Snow Network). It would be disappointing to get my own little precipitation station assigned and then hate it!
- I’m grateful my family made me feel very loved on my birthday.
Happy birthday! Glad you were loved and celebrated!
JenRR, thanks for letting us know what CoCoRaHS stands for. In the snow total updates we've been getting on local news websites, that abbreviation has been turning up next to various snow reports, and I didn't have a clue what it meant.
So glad you are loving having a CoCoRaHS station!! My daughter had a station in our yard for years, but sadly has had to pause on it once she started college as she just had too much to do in the mornings and get to class on time.
Thankfuls:
--That all basketball games were canceled last weekend and this week, so my basketball player didn't feel like he had to get over his nasty flu as quickly as possible. There were so many sick kids, they just called all the games off. This is my one child who will insist on doing things even if he's not feeling well, so I'm glad he didn't feel the pressure.
--That NO ONE ELSE in my family got sick. This is more thanks for a miracle.
--For a weekend with nothing on our calendar starting today. FFA traveling season is starting in February, and there are a couple of other overnight trips coming up, too, so it's nice to have this weekend to rest before all of that.
--That my eldest son could wear his younger brother's dress shoes for his FFA trip to the state capitol when he inexplicably couldn't find his own. They're a size too small, but he made it work. Good thing all my sons have giant feet, I guess.
--That I noticed the rotten potato in the bag I was buying yesterday just as I scanned it, so I could bring it to an employee and then get another bag. I am very familiar with the smell of rotten potatoes, and the smell was what alerted me. I wouldn't have been very happy to get home and find that.
Kristen, I’m so glad your power stayed on, that you have such good neighbors and that you have such a positive attitude about your job.
Our power also stayed on and we are grateful! My husband was able to dig out hisCRV so he’s been able to take our daughter back and forth to her job. We’re thankful for the CRV as well as health and strength to keep up with winter challenges.
Snoopy to the rescue!!
Snow/Ice related: Thankful that we did not lose power. Thankful to have a generator in case we did. Thankful my husband has been safe driving every day as he works to clear snow at school (facilities!). Thankful for how beautiful the snow is - especially with the layer of sleet on top of it. Thankful that my youngest son has neighborhood friends to play with and how creative they are.
Thankful for the extra light at the end of the day- there always comes a point in January that I notice that it is still light-ish after 5:00 and it makes me so happy!
Thankful for cozy blankets, candlelight, tea, good books and baking that accompany many snowed in days.
Working to be thankful that we will probably go back to school tomorrow and I'll get to drive- not my favorite in these conditions, but I am capable! I will probably go out today just to test the roads so early morning tomorrow is not my first go at it.
I am thankful, that we too, did not lose power thru this storm. We were supposed to get all snow and all of a sudden it was raining on Sunday and everything froze after getting 5 inches of snow. Everything is still ice covered and we are still getting light snow, but we are able to get out. And baby, it's cold outside!!!!!
Thankful for the snow plow drivers who get the roads cleared and are safe to travel. I have a lot of friends that work in the "big city" about 40 min away, and they all have been arriving safely to work.
Thankful that my sister in law made it thru her heart surgery last week and is resting comfortably at home with another sister in law and husband there to take care of her for a few days.
Thankful that we have heat and food. Hopefully people took advantage of the warming stations all over in this cold snap. And hoping that it does start to warm up soon.
Your neighbour's help warmed my heart and I'm so glad you were able to make it to the hospital!!! <3
We got a huge dumping of snow, but no ice and for that I am very grateful!
Hey, you may want to get a stronger clamp on your scissors!!!!!!!! I JUST had one of those break, and they break SUPER EASY! They are BARELY welded together, and are multiple parts. You need to find something that is one piece, because the loop/clamp you have your scissors on THEY BREAK WAY EASY!!!
Trust me, you will be mad when you go to grab scissors and just find a loop dangling there, broken off!
Ask me how I know LOOOOOOOOOL . . . .
You have lovely neighbors!
1) For coffee when I'm tired. Bonus points for oat milk & my milk frother.
2) That I'm almost over my jet lag & back to a regular schedule.
3) For hard strength training classes. I'm sore! But, I also know that's not the kind of workout I would give myself, so love having someone else design one for me.
4) For freezer leftovers, which have saved us on this non menu planned week.
5) That my parents will be here during DS19's birthday
Wow! Wonderful neighbors! I'm so happy for you. Folks, I was really enjoying reading all the comments today, but I have to stop to start school! (Because, while the public school is still closed, I am a mean homeschool mom, and we will continue!)
This week I am thankful:
*that we didn't lose power during the storm!
*that our electricity just came back on-- we inexplicably lost power last night.
*that my husband had bought some cheap cold cereal last week. We so rarely have the stuff on hand, but it certainly made it easy to have breakfast for folks today with no electricity.
*that my husband could drive me to face therapy yesterday.
*for all the wonderful thankfuls today.
*that I sort of figured out a way around a mental block I was having about organizing some mess.
*for hot/warm drinks. They are so comforting to me. I don't know why.
*for a very good night's sleep last night after a very bad one the night before.
Jody S., I have to ask you and all other homeschooling folks: Do your kids ever complain because they never get any snow days? 🙂
A lot of kids in school don't get snow days anymore either, thanks to the curse of Zoom and virtual schooling. I don't know about other kids, but mine complain about this ALL THE TIME. And I can't really disagree with them.
Not too much because they get "Mom has an appointment" days and "Mom's sick" days and "we really need to go shopping in a big town" days and the like. On the flip side, when it snows, my kids go out and play for a good chunk of the day and I call it school---physical education AND nature study. It's hand's on learning--the best kind. They like to complain when I do this though because they don't want me to turn fun into school-- even if all I do is write it down on a piece of paper.
Thankful that Kristen’s power stayed on and that ours has, too. We got tons of snow, freezing rain, ice bits—the whole shebang. All manner of shovels were employed by my DH and the wonderful and strong teen boys next door, along with some snow blowing from another neighbor. Yikes. I sincerely hope this next storm stays out to sea.
Your Snoopy key chain is super adorable and so useful. Losing your scissors is a huge pain, as I understand it from your description. So glad for your neighbors, what a wonderful pair! And, oh yes, we’ve noticed the additional daylight and loved every minute of it. Of course, it immediately makes me think of Lindsey, in all of our hearts and thoughts. Please know how much I think of you, Lindsey, and your awesome husband and dear pups.
Kristen,
I just have to tell you how I appreciate your kindness and cheerfulness so much! I have followed your blog for many, many years and I don't think I've ever commented, but just wanted to say that I admire and respect you so much and appreciate your upbeat, happy, and helpful personality! Thank you for being a bright spot in my day! You're the best! ❤️
Welcome to the comments, Nancy! Hasn't Kristen done an amazing job making this place so wonderful?! Reading FG posts and all the lovely comments has definitely been a cheerful part of my daily routine for many years!!
I second that with enthusiasm and admiration for Kristen!
- I'm thankful that I dressed warmly for work today. The heat is out in the building and it was 59 degrees in my office when I here.
- I'm thankful that if the heat doesn't get working soon, I have the flexibility to either work from home or take off the rest of the day.
- I'm thankful that I got together with a friend for lunch yesterday. I haven't seen her in person in a while.
- I'm thankful that the snow/ice storm literally went around us. Our weather was cold but no issues with power outages.
- I'm thankful for a warm home and a stocked pantry.
As so many others, I'm thankful we have been able to keep our power on during the winter storm and its aftermath.
Thankful for the beautiful winter landscape that reminds me of home, and that I have been able to take a few walks well-dressed and not slipping too much.
Thankful for my mother being in better health, and that her homecare is now set up according to her needs.
Thankful for all essential workers who made it to work (as Kristen did!)
And finally, thankful that our rescue cat returned home and was not harmed or run over by a snow plough this week. He was out for 12 hrs in this freezing weather, something he never does even in better weather. Now he's been resting since then and only dipping his paw out for a few seconds on the icy snow. Yet he meows loudly and persistently ever so often to be let out.
This week I am thankful….
• My husband saw how much I was struggling on Saturday and came home early to make my favorite pasta dinner.
• My husband offered to stay home with our under the weather dog so that I could go into the office. His job is MUCH less flexible than mine and staying home is rarely an option so when he offered right away instead of just assuming I would stay home I was really touched.
• Our under the weather dog is feeling better!
• For under ground power lines! Seeing the ice storms on the news this week reminded me of how thankful I am that most of our communities’ powerlines are underground. It’s not only lovely to not have wires obstructing views, but there is a lower risk of the power going out due to the weather.
• Even though it has been impossibly cold, the sun has been shining and somehow that makes life a little easier.
• Puppy snuggles or as I’ve started to call my snuggle time with both dogs “my cuddle puddle.”
This week I am especially thankful that our dog came back after getting out through a gate that our guests inadvertently left open. This is the first time she has been loose in the 4.5 years we've had her. I had practiced this nightmare what-if scenario in my head so I was quick to yell, "Lucy! Snacks!" And she came right back! Yes, she received lots of extra snacks and love.
I am thankful:
1.that our furnace has been able to struggle through this cold spell;
2. that a printer issue was a faulty cartridge rather than the printer itself (I was convinced that the printer had reached the end of its life);
3. that said faulty cartridge was replaced for free by Staples;
4. for some extra time with my husband at home because of the weather; and
5. that I have a social gathering to look forward to tomorrow.
This morning, I dropped a big cup of soda while on line at the gas station convenience store. It could have been terrible. But the guy behind me leapt into action, grabbed a bag of towels from the clerks, and helped me mop it all up. He was so kind! And everyone on line was sweet- no one got mad or complained. What could have been a rotten way to start the day was made positive by the kindness of strangers.
So thankful for good Samaritans!
And grateful a warm house, indoor plumbing, and cats who sleep with me.
mbm was mbmom11- I'm clumsy today!
Yes, the weather has been a trial -- for so many of us, in many different ways.
I'm thankful that today it is warmer inside than it has been. I don't know why -- it's still cold outside -- but I'll take it!
I'm thankful that I have been well- stocked with food, so that I only have to decide which thing to eat rather than wonder what will I eat.
I'm thankful that my city does such a great job of plowing the roads, and they even provide free garage parking during extreme weather events.
I'm thankful that I find so much reading material for free, between using the library and the little free libraries.
I am thankful that all my enforced indoor dwelling this month has curtailed my spending enough so that I can make a nice transfer into savings!
And I bam grateful for my savings, which make me feel secure.
What a smart use for your keychain!
I'm thankful that after hurting my knee I can finally drive again and get around well enough to attend choir practice tonight.
I'm thankful for the lovely messsages I received from several people, checking to make sure I was okay after my knee injury.
So thankful my mom taught me to sew and my fourth-grade teacher taught the whole class to knit -- I enjoy both of these pasttimes so much now.
That my husband is here to shovel snow and walk the dogs while I'm laid up -- of course, I'm thankful for him for more than that!
For the birds that come to our bird feeders.
Today I am thankful for many years of virtual friendship on this blog. After spending some time thinking about Monday's post, I have decided for many reasons to discontinue reading The Frugal Girl. Since this blog has been part of my morning routine for nearly a decade, I did want to take the opportunity to say good-bye. There are many of you whom I will miss terribly. I am grateful to you for your kindness and support over the years. I am thankful that I have been given the opportunity to be a tiny part of this frugal community.
For years, even as the toxicity levels of American politics grew, this was one place on the internet that all people felt welcome and discussed ordinary life without political commentary. I am grateful that The Frugal Girl celebrated our commonalities - our humanity -- not the political differences that have divided us. It was an outrage-free zone. With politics now being introduced as part of FG, I have already seen a change in tone and decided that it is time to go.
Kristen, I wish you and your readers a lifetime of happiness and prosperity. But most of all, I pray that the hate, violence, and divisiveness that plagues our country will soon come to an end. Peace be with you all.
Bee, you are probably not reading this, but I feel that Kristen's post was spot on. Brilliant, even. In fact, I even forwarded it several friends, including my pastor, and they liked it, too. (My pastor's sermon was along the same lines.) Thank you, Kristen, for your words of wisdom during this difficult time in our country. It was very much needed in this time of sorrow.
I will miss you. We are the same age, and seem to share many of the same life experiences, values, and approaches to life. I have often looked for your comments because I appreciate your calmness and common sense. If you would like to stay in touch, you may ask Kristen for my email address.
Peace be with you, Bee. I'll miss seeing your comments.
Bee, I'm sorry but not surprised to hear this. (As you may remember, you and I came close to butting heads once about a Florida political issue.) But I too will miss your comments, and I wish you and your family all the best. Pax vobiscum. And as CC Artist Jana says, please ask Kristen for my email if you'd like to keep in touch.
Best to you, Bee.
We have had a couple of disagreements but I always enjoyed your posts. I wish you all the best!
Best wishes, Bee. I will miss you. If you ever want to reach out, you can send a message at my blog (spiceoflifemom.blogspot.com). (Warning: Don't go to my blog if you want to read up-to-date posts; I am lucky to get a post or two up each year.)
I too will miss you Bee! I'm sorry you're leaving - I appreciated your calm and insightful comments (& book recommendations like Remarkably Bright Creatures!). I hope your health continues to be good, and I join your prayer that the culture of division and distrust in our nation can be transformed into civility and care for each other.
Bee, I just read this and feel so sad. Your gentle and wise words have been a bright spot in my days for so many years. You've been an encouragement to me. I'll miss you terribly. Many blessings to you.
I am sorry to hear that you will not be a part of this community in the future, and I wish you and yours well in the future.
As I said in the post on Monday, this was a rare foray into politics, and not a harbinger of changes to come, but I did realize that some people would decide not to be here anymore as a result of what I said.
Thank you for all the good you contributed here over the years.
Like Kristen, I was prepared for a power outage that didn't come -- only a few blinks over the first night -- so I am very, very thankful for that!
Thankful that I slept through one outage: when I got up the next morning, my internet provider sent an email saying our internet went down at 3:40 in the morning and they are fixing it; then another email saying it was restored by 7:20 a.m. Thankful for their workers and the electric linemen and the road crews and everyone else working out in the winter storm to keep us safe, warm, and powered up. (Yesterday, an Oncore [electric utility] worker came through my checkout lane at work and I thanked him for being out there in the cold, and he said "it's my pleasure. "Wow! What an amazing attitude!)
Thankful, too, that my malfunctioning gas fireplace has been replaced by a natural gas space heater. It looks ugly on the den wall, but runs without electricity and is also easy to operate. My arthritic hands could not get the fireplace pilot button to work, and we couldn't figure out why the gas kept going out.
Surprised, and very, very thankful, that the chiropractic treatments have worked so well that when I wore a pair of regular shoes (didn't have the Spenco shoes' arch supports), I was able to stand comfortably through my work shift. Before, when this happened, my feet and legs would hurt a whole lot.
Thankful I was able to slide the heavy bed over the new LVP floor. I re-arranged the bedroom furniture so that the bed wasn't near the old, drafty window and I didn't feel cold air seep through.
Also thankful that my back didn't hurt after doing this.
Thankful that I'm getting 2 new channels coming in very clearly on my over-the-air TV.
Thankful that at long last, I was able to shut the backyard driveway gate. It had gotten stuck open from the ice/sleet/snow, and that meant that Snuggles couldn't go out into the backyard to run and play. Thankful that he's outside right now, the gate is closed, and he can't get outside the yard and run away.
Thankful to find a new handyman and a new plumber who are both incredibly good--- coming on time, reliable, know what they're doing, helping me out, etc. I was even charged a senior discount!
Thankful that my store closed early on the night it rained, stayed closed Sunday in the snow/ice/bad road conditions, and was OK with the fact I couldn't get there Monday. (Sorry, boss, but it's not worth risking a broken hip. He agreed.)
Thankful for my friends who phoned to see if I was OK.
Thankful that the dripping faucet trick saved me from frozen/broken water pipes.
Thankful for the commentariat and blogosphere, keeping me sane during the time I didn't leave my house!
Thankful it's sunnier today and the stuff is melting. The next cold front is supposed to be without precipitation, fine with me!
Stay warm and safe, y'all!
Oh, and I almost forgot: thankful for the fact I could get my tires aired up free at the Firestone store. (For all you Magnolia fans, it's the one formerly owned by Joanna Gaines' daddy, and it's where Chip and Joanna met.)
"this is the internet, where things are often incorrectly assumed” —Ain’t that the livin’ truth!!
Too many thankfuls to write, but had to commend you for a very wise approach to understanding the internet.
Okay, one more thing: I appreciate this blog for many reasons but one reason is apparent this morning as I read all the comments about the storm. We are in a dry spell here on the left coast, and it is interesting to see what the other side of the country is dealing with, to see it from first-person accounts.
And I am thankful that I got my LLBean boots resoled and was able to wear them 6 miles in Sequoia National Park without neuropathy pain (I actually walked farther than 6 miles and now know my feet’s limit), because in the very few patches of snow, my Crocs would have been way too slippery! Yes, 6 miles, snow-free in JANUARY! We’ve lived through drought before, have had ENORMOUS storms in February and/or March, and I refuse to worry.
My kids would call you Columbo---"one more thing!" 🙂
I am thankful for everyone here and the years of wonderful comments, support, and kindness, especially the many kind comments I received when DH died.
I have to admit, my heart sank, however, when I saw the post on Monday, because this was my one politically-free space that I regularly read and comment upon. I have come here and left every day this week without leaving a comment, as I pondered my next move, if any, that I would make. Today, I decided, and found that today of all days, kind and gentle Bee has decided as well. She has stated everything so much better than I could have, so I will just add to her words my own fond farewell. I will miss you all.
Y'all are making me sad today. I will miss your comments so much, JD. I was so looking forward to hearing about your last day of work. Maybe you could stop by my blog and celebrate that day? I wish you all the best in your retirement. I hope you get to spend lots more time with your family. And cooking. (I always think when reading your food recap that you cook exactly the things I would if I were cooking for myself. Well, except for the liver. Never will I voluntarily cook that.
A sad farewell to you too, dear JD. As one widow to another, we've offered each other much support over the years. And as I said to Kristen, ask her for my email if you'd like to stay in touch.
That should have been "And as I said to Bee, ask Kristen for my email...". Still correcting my own typos, and I hope that gives everyone a faint smile.
It seems to be a day of good-bye. I am not thankful for that, but if you would ever like to contact me, there's a place on my blog (which is referenced in my comment to Bee). And lest you think you are alone, I've pondered the same. Monday's post had me down. Also this week my uncle had a political post. I made the mistake of reading the comments. Somebody I don't know posted a completely neutral and wise quotation that would apply on either side of the political spectrum, and that person was excoriated. I feel we are no longer living in a society where it is okay to practice free speech; people will only hear what they wish to hear. It is discouraging to me because rage has replaced thoughtfulness. I am thankful that both you and Bee have taken a few days to think.
I'm also in the camp with Kristin--and excited about your impending retirement.
Oh JD, I was thinking of you when I just responded to Bee. I'm so sad to hear you're leaving too. I often shared tidbits from your comments with my husband, who also gets VA healthcare and has some similar issues, was amazed by your daughter's many trips (waved when she came near my area) - basically just always looked forward to your updates. And I too couldn't (can't) wait to hear about your final day and then retirement. I wish you all the best!
JD - I just read this and my heart sank. You will be missed so very much. I'm really excited about how close you are to retirement and was looking forward to the countdown as it went on, and to reading about your thoughts on retirement as it started. I'll be thinking about you, and wish you the very best.
Best to you as well, JD.
I saw this comment notification yesterday on a break at work, and haven't gotten a chance to respond until now. I don't know if you will see this, but I wanted to say that it was a privilege to watch as you steadfastly cared for your husband, and to offer support as much as one can over the internet.
I wish you a wonderful retirement, and I hope that you get to enjoy some well-deserved time doing whatever it is that fills your cup.
The story of your neighbors helping you out really warms my heart! In my own neighborhood we have a mini network of us that are always ready to help each other. From needing to borrow things, to food swaps, watching kids, cleaning gutters, to help when it got super rainy and the backyard flooded. We all look out for one another. This was very new to me when I moved here (almost 11 years ago), because where I grew up neighbors were only people you waved to nicely and maybe talked to when a fence needed fixing. Here we really feel more like what I imagined Mr. Rodger's neighborhood was like! ☺️
And I alo am the most Snoopy-ish neighbor here! Gotta love that beagle! 🐶
Gina, me too re Snoopy. My husband and I have had four beagles (one at a time) over our four-decade marriage. Our current beagle is part Jack Russell Terrier and I call her my brave little beagle mix. Also Little Miss Wigglebottom.
Oh Clark, you sneaky rascal. We'll keep it just amongst us FGers that you actually are a teddy bear. 😸
It has been a tough week here, but I'm sure I can find some thankfuls.
I'm thankful that we didn't lose power during or after the storm.
I'm thankful that my new flannel sheets arrived before the bad weather and I was able to get them washed and on the bed by the time it got really cold.
I'm thankful that my dad's bad cold is nothing worse, and that he's getting better.
I'm thankful I had batch-cooked for myself before I came down with a cold, and didn't have to cook on the day I was feeling worst.
And I'm very thankful that today the sky is clear, the sun is out, and all the ice is melting.
Your neighbors are pure gold. ❤️
I'm guessing that this is the getting-through-winter-weather version of Thankful Thursday for many of us. To wit, I'm thankful that so far, we've managed to get through some truly treacherous road conditions. I'll spare details, but I've had a couple of harrowing drives lately (I live in west Michigan, where winter driving is expected, so you know that it's bad out if I'm mentioning it!). Thankful that my son has had 2 job offers and just accepted one of them! It will put him closer to his fiancee and housing is included (as is basic furniture) so moving him will be much, much simpler than if he had taken the other job (yet another thing to be grateful for). I was able to meet up for coffee with family yesterday. I've been staying home more than usual due to the weather, and cabin fever is starting to set in--getting out sure helps with that! Also thankful that with snowy weather comes snowshoeing opportunities. Getting in that cardio in a more enjoyable manner than shoveling (which I've also done a lot of).
To all of the Commentariat who are in the path of the Wicked Winter storms...I'm praying for you and wishing a quick return to milder days. I have a Godson in Tennessee who told me this morning he will be out of power for 2 weeks. He is resourceful and a genius with technology, so I expect he will thrive in this challenge.
Peace be with you JD and Bee, you will be missed.
Thankful for the return of rain. We are in a drought and the humidity is greatly appreciated.
Neighbor offered me a half load of gravel, the dump truck operator spread it quite well, I told him I would finish spreading it with the tractor, he offered to work on it when he delivered his last load. Yay! I have a new to me box scraper and he was excited to play with it as he has been looking for one for his hobby farm. I told him he could borrow it for doing my place...win, win.
Thankful that we're gaining about 2.25 minutes per day of daylight.
Thankful for a vigorous walk with a friend this morning, we hiked the hills of a nature preserve.
Peace be with you, JD and Bee. You will be missed dearly. "Keep your face always toward the sunshine -and shadows will fall behind you." ~Walt Whitman
I love that use if the Snoopy key chain! Clever. Good neighbors are gold.
You are snoopy-est in the best way possible!
1. I am thankful for a nice, fruitful conversation with a colleague this morning
2. For people who are wiser and more experienced than myself
3. For the people in my home state of Oklahoma who rose up to protest against the establishment of a detention facility today and were successful in stopping the process
4. For the rising sun that shines in my window in the morning
5. For the USO
My dear father-in-law was a pediatrician in the "olden days" when doctors admitted and saw their patients in the hospital. Somehow when he passed I inherited "his" collection of 5 or 6 pediatric and newborn stethoscopes. These stethoscopes had various ways of identifying the real owners--usually a hospital bracelet with the name of the nurse to whom it belonged, or the name of the nurse written on a pink tubing with permanent marker, etc. In some cases, there were chains attached, and carabiners and many other things to prevent someone walking off with their stethoscope. My sweet, beloved, gentle father-in-law was the thief! I'm sure he absent-mindedly put them in his pocket after he examined the patient, but nevertheless, he clearly did not make any effort to return them when they ended up at home. My husband and siblings said these stethoscopes had been around the house for decades, so finding their owners wasn't practical.
To the nurses who lost their stethoscopes, I apologize on behalf of my father-in-law. The nurses loved him because he was a gentle, sweet man who used to sneak puppies in his lab coat pockets when he went on rounds and brought them treats all the time. I'm not sure if they ever suspected. When he had his first heart attack, they put him in the children's ward where they spoiled him with attention and care, and brought his patients to him while he was recovering.
So watch your stuff at work. And don't trust doctors who ask to borrow your things!
I respect people leaving, whether it’s because they feel differently than Kristen or because they don’t want to read anything political. But how can things get better if we don’t talk to each other? I’ve only been here a short time, but I’ve seen how people here are kind, respectful, and encouraging to each other. We can continue responding to each other that way, even with (and about) our differences.
Jaefi, agreed. Very well said. I'm glad you're here.
Amen. Thank you for saying what I was thinking and crying. Kristen's eloquent and poignant remarks were what I have been wanting to say for years. I don't understand but I truly want to. Thru listening to one another then we can come to points of commonality and begin to put things to right again. I still have hope. Because we most often want mainly the same things: safety, well-being, and good health for our loved ones, a safe home, work that is satisfying and/or supplies our needs and hopefully some wants, to have community, friendship, and love. ❤️
Yes, this exactly! We’ve have common ground—we all want the same basic things—and we have different ideas about how to make them happen. When I’ve had the opportunity to talk to people about this, my understanding has grown and given me hope, too.
I completely agree!
To those who found Monday's post to be too "political" and decided to vamanos, I truly want to know what is their breaking point. I didn't find it all that political truth be told - just expressing that enough is enough.
While established adult cat is not totally on board yet, the kittens have been such a bright spot in our lives. At first I thought my vet was being coy but after the kittens first vet visit, I found out it was pure good luck timing. I told the vet I was not averse to taking in two cats - that sealed the deal as the couple who rescued them wanted them to stay together. We're able to keep in touch with the couple that rescued them.
Tonight I think the established cat (4 years old) realized the kittens out number her lol. It is not our first rodeo bringing in new fur babies.
@Kristen - is there space for a car port and have your landlords considered it? Back in the day when I had co-renter, we played the hokey pokey with the car port (we both had block heaters) - I worked 3rd shift, she worked first shift.
Not grateful for the 18" of snow that we received in Western Mass, but
(1) grateful that it was light and fluffy and that we didn't lose power. Also our DPW guys who did a great job trying to clear the snow off our narrow streets.
(2) Extremely thankful for my next door neighbor who not only plows my driveway, but also does my front walk and the side walk (required by the City for the mailman) - and this done after he spent 22 hours plowing for the City. I was so grateful to be able to pay him for his continued help.
(3) Thankful that there was plenty of food in the house as always (I have a very bad - and expensive - habit of buying enough food to feed an army for a month when I live by myself. Trying to stop doing that, but for some reason it's a struggle.)
(4) Delighted when my boss let me work from home one day so I didn't have to face going out in the freezing cold (I am well past retirement age, but work part-time).
(5) Spent MLK weekend with family at the beach in S. Carolina for a belated Xmas. It was sunny and 60 one day, so we could walk the beach; rained the next day so we did an indoor event and the last day a walk on the boardwalk and another indoor event before SIL took kids home so that GD could support a friend at a competition on MLK Day. This gave me a chance to have a quiet dinner with my daughter, which we haven't done in ages as she lives in the South and with everyone's schedule (g'kids in two different schools, so often have different holidays and vacations off - go figure), I only see everyone about 3 times a year. I am so proud of my daughter. She has had some very rough times in her life, but has continued to try to stay positive. She has many, many friends who love her dearly and stand with her, so I feel so grateful for them because of me living so far away.
(6) Thankful and grateful for my friends who are lovely people. They are smart, compassionate, and make me laugh. How lucky I am to have them.
I am so thankful this week . . .
-to be alive. I am a breast cancer survivor, and one of the risks of being on tamoxifen is blood clots. Well, my doctors found a blood clot on Monday that went to my lungs when they went in and tried to remove it. My doctors said if I hadn't been on the operating table when it happened, I likely wouldn't have made it. I lost a lot of blood, but they were able to remove 80% of the clot from my lungs and expect me to make a full recovery. At this point, I can only conclude that someone up there really wants me to be here. Every day is a gift.
-that not only did our electricity not go off this week, but our water didn't freeze. We live in an old house with 100+ year old pipes. If temps are below 20 for a few days, our water freezes either in the sidewalk or under the house where we have no access (our "crawlspace" is about a 8 inches off the ground and can only be accessed by pulling up floorboards). This week my husband has been on top of keeping a faucet dripping all night. He also, back in the fall, added more spray insulation to the one spot where the water pipe goes out of the house to our water heater. With me in the hospital, our family not having heat or water would have just compounded an already really bad situation. I'm so grateful to past us for thinking of adding more insulation to that hot water pipe and for my husband consistently dripping the faucets.
-that my husband has been able to take care of me and the kids and the house and the business this week without me. We've had a hard few years while I struggled with breast cancer and our daughter had an unfolding list of disabilities, but I am so grateful that we have been able to fix a few things in my husband's life that allowed him to be a better support to me. One, he was diagnosed with sleep apnea and went on a cpap. Until I knew a well-rested husband, I had no idea how much he was struggling just to get through every day. Two, we hired good support for him in our business. Just like with the cpap, I had no idea how much he was drowning in the demands of the business until we had someone who could actually support him. We also transitioned the business to being fully remote. He had to let go of his ideas that real work can only be done in an office (all of his client meetings are on Zoom now anyway), but in addition to freeing us from a rent payment each month and the upkeep of an office, my husband is home to handle school closures and other emergencies without having to scramble. Though our daughter and I have been the stars of our family crises the last few years, making these adjustments to improve my husband's health and work life have made him happier, healthier, and better able to support us. I am just so grateful for the changes we've made and his love and support.
-that I elected for the mid-range health insurance at work for 2026. Through the last few years of medical emergencies and chronic care, I have elected for the cheapest plan. It made sense because the premiums were so cheap and because I knew our family would get to the out-of-pocket max each year. We did, so that was the best option for us. But, my goodness, it meant that each January we were hit with $1,000s in medical bills until we reached that max. For 2026, I went with the stepped-up plan because we are only going to be on this insurance until my contract runs out in July. I thought, let's pay higher premiums so that we don't just immediately pay the entire out-of-pocket max. So far, I am happy with that decision. Our bills have been coming back in the hundreds instead of the thousands, and that should even go down once we hit our deductible, which we will as soon as the claims for this week hit.
-for the sunshine and the sound of the birds. I know the world outside is desperately cold and covered in an ice sheet that would rival Narnia. And I know that we might get even more snow this weekend. But from my perch in my bedroom, all I see is sunshine. I can hear the birds signaling that January is almost over. I am filled with gratitude that spring is coming and I will be here to see it.
Ohhh, I am SO GLAD you are ok. What a scary thing to experience.
Amanda! Oh my goodness, you have been through a lot. I, too, am very thankful that you survived this latest ordeal and are here to remind all of us of the preciousness of life.
I'm so thankful to hear you're ok! What a scary experience. Your attitude during hard things is inspiring. I told someone yesterday that i feel like I'm in house with a moat around it since I can't walk out due to ice overtaking the yards and driveway (have to drive out to safely get past it). Now I'm going to look at out at Narnia while I wait for it to melt. : )
I’m thankful for your post earlier this week - for some reason it made me feel hopeful. Thank you!
Wow what a heartwarming story! I love how you focused not just on the snow and freezing rain but on all the little blessings around you. Your neighbors Donna and Hank sound amazing and it is inspiring to see how community support makes such a difference in tough situations. I also love your creativity with the Snoopy keychain and the metal shovel teamwork practical and adorable! It is wonderful that your gym provides shelter for those in need too. Reading this really reminds me to appreciate the small things and the people who make life easier and brighter. Thank you for sharing!
When I used to work bedside, I had a specific key chain that held my scissors. My coworkers knew that they were my scissors if I left them somewhere. Also, my husband (then fiance) gave me a stethoscope with my name engraved on the bell. Physicians would immediately return it to me when they borrowed it because they knew they couldn't steal it with my name engraved. Lol!