Thankful Thursday | My semester is done!
I took my final exam on Tuesday and I am so, so, so happy to have made it to the end of the semester. It's been a wild ride since January (!!), and I am delighted to have a break.
This week, I am thankful:
for the kind note my professor sent to me
When he graded my extra credit essay last night, he included several paragraphs of encouragement along with the grade, and I was so touched that I cried. To hear these kind words after such a hard semester was just such a balm for my heart.
for a whole semester of in-person classes
I know some people really dig the online learning thing, but I am so thankful I got to go in person. I like interacting with my classmates and professor in real life, and I also much prefer looking at actual anatomy models vs. photos of the models.
for a summer of more free time
I am so excited to have time for things like settling into my house, getting Zoe's driving hours done, reading books for fun, and hey, maybe even baking some bread again.
for good health
The girls and I did get sick in January (in the midst of the wave that infected so many people), but I haven't been sick since, not even with a cold.
that our cat is getting so comfy here
She's totally gotten over the whole hide-under-Zoe's-sheets phase and is roaming the house. And she's back to her old tricks of trying to fool me into thinking she hasn't had breakfast so that I feed her twice. 😉
for kind neighbors
I met some more neighbors last night; people are so friendly here!
Also: reader/neighbor Kate brought me some edible goodies, which included Trader Joe's Unexpected cheddar cheese. I'd never had it before, but my goodness, it was tasty. I am most definitely going to buy some of this for myself in the future.
for the way my rental came to me
You guys know how I was struggling to find a place (the current market is so fast, and I am self-employed, which makes the approval process harder). Multiple places fell through and I was getting seriously discouraged.
My mom went to her Bible study in the midst of this time and shared about my difficulties, and one of the ladies in her study said, "Actually, my son just found out that the renters are moving out of his house in a few weeks."
I applied immediately and sent a deposit even though I'd only seen pictures of the house! I was just so grateful to have a chance to apply for a rental before it even was listed for rent.
When the other rentals kept falling through, I was super disappointed, but now I can see the many reasons that this rental was better than all the others anyway.
that my table is done!!
I promise I will do a whole post about it soon once I pull together all the before, during, and after photos.
But here is a tiny sneak peek of the underside, from when I was doing the last bit of painting this week.
that my rental has wood floors
Wood floors are beautiful, of course, but they also feel more fresh and clean than carpet.
Carpet can always hold...mysteries. But with wood floors, you can easily see if they are clean or not!
that I have a carport
I've never had a garage or carport in my adult life, so this feels pretty great. I'm not parking in it at the moment but I AM using it as a place to work on furniture.
And once I get all that done, I will be able to park my van there.
that my landlords are good about fixing things
We've had a few issues pop up (mostly plumbing stuff) and they've been responsive and prompt about addressing them. I know sometimes renters struggle to get repairs taken care of, and I am thankful that's not the case for me here.
that I have room for Lisey
She's coming next week to stay with us for the summer (yay!), and I am so thankful my rental has enough bedrooms. I actually have four total, so even with Lisey coming, I still have an extra bedroom (which I am using for an office.)
for all the green around here
My area of the world is very green right now, but I am specifically grateful that my rental has so much green. There's quite a lot of space between the houses here, and there are trees everywhere. It makes my house feel like an oasis!
I know everyone currently loves wood floors, but having grown up with them, I couldn't wait to get carpet. I hated those cold, slippery floors and, oh, the splinters! It's funny too, that when I was growing up only poor people had wood floors and only rich people could afford wall-to-wall carpet. 😉 I'm thankful that I still have carpet and that we're all free to enjoy whatever type of floors we like.
@Bobi, carpet can be lovely when it's new and you know what has happened to it. When you're in a rental or buy a house that's been previously occupied, however, the mystery of what has happened can be rather disgusting...and smelly.
Yes, if you get to pick out the carpet and you're the sole occupants who have used the carpet, it's totally different!
@Bobi, We lived in a rental that had wooden floors, and the landlord boasted about those "handlaid" floors...they were so splintery! I suspect he got a deep discount on some not-so-great wood. Then we lived in a rental that had laminate, which was pretty great, except the landlady had installed it herself and she had left some pretty large gaps--I hated mopping because I just knew that water was getting under there and possibly growing mold. Ew.
Now, we live in a rental where the landlord clearly understood the pitfalls of wood; we have these lovely faux-wood ceramic floor tiles. They're just gorgeous. No splinters, they're cool underfoot, and so easy to clean. No gaps! We did put rugs down where we want some softness, but I'm a fan of ceramic tile. The bedrooms do have carpet, and unfortunately the previous occupants had a dog, so you can bet we steamcleaned the heck out of those carpets to get the doggy grossness out.
@Bobi, I'm an allergy sufferer so yeah ... no carpet for me. 😉
@Bobi, I too grew up with wood floors and hated how cold and slippery they were. We still have carpet in all bedrooms because we dislike waking up to cold floors. The LVP floors in the rest of the house don't feel as cold as wood floors.
@Battra92, even though we put new carpet in our previous house, we didn't realize our cat had allergies to it until we moved out (after ten years) and into a house without carpet. The cat's perpetual crusty nose and bad attitude cleared up right away. We felt terrible that the poor cat had probably had a sinus headache for a decade.
@Bobi, This cracked me up so much. I grew up in a 1957 ranch house with hardwood floors in the bedrooms that we hated. My parents finally saved enough money to get carpet in the back bedrooms and my brother, sister, and I luxuriated in not having cold floors. Now I have a 1957 Cape Cod, and have pulled carpet from rooms. When we added a room to the second floor for my oldest son, and I didn't want to spring for hardwood, we carpeted it. The other two kids, with wood floors, were jealous.
Also, I have energetically ripped off every inch of wallpaper in any house I owned. Now, I'm starting to eye wallpaper for our dining room. It's so funny how tastes can change. 🙂
Oh my goodness, I took so much wallpaper off of the house when we bought it back in 2005. Some rooms had multiple layers, and I swore I would never install wallpaper, but always stick to paint.
So far, I have stuck to that...we'll see if I ever change my mind!
@Bobi,
I kind of like linoleum. The tile in our bathroom is so cold in the winter and grout always looks dirty. We have laminate flooring in the kitchen and living room and I'm carpet shopping to "protect the floors."
Rebekah
@Bobi, I'm in the "love wood floors" camp but my niece and her husband are in the "prefer carpet" camp. Like everyone said....as long as you install it and are the only ones to use it which is what they did. I'll add that MY feeling is that even after you've used carpet for a few years, it starts to feel gross. I've had new carpet in my homes (at least in some of the rooms. Wood floors in other rooms) that eventually started to feel gross even though I'd keep up with cleaning and stain removal.
But the best part is that, as someone said, we have choices that we can make to fulfill our personal preferences!
Aww, Kristen, I got tears in my eyes reading about how your rental came to you. Definitely God was watching out for you! Congrats on completing your semester on such a high note. I'm thankful that you are seeing some bright spots and are getting a little breathing room!
Thankful that I'm finally getting work hours! Being low-censused was getting old! Thankful that spring has finally sprung and we have lots of green. Thankful that the unseasonably hot spell (more like July) last week has moderated into "my" kind of weather--60s and 70s with lower humidity. Due to that, I've been able to get outside more, which I'm definitely thankful for! Thankful that the lilacs are prolific this year--they are so pretty! My niece brought her 2 young children over to pick them last night .... the two year old was much more interested in the dandelions which have gone to seed (um, yes, we DO need to mow!) and his excitement made my heart smile.
@Kris, I love that dandelions are so beautiful to little children. I've been the recipient of a few bouquets so far this spring and it makes my heart smile, too.
@Ruth T, my daughter and son-in-law’s yard was in need of a mow. My grandkids came out to play and said with delight, “Look! A DANDELION FIELD!” They we’re so excited! Haha!
@Ruth T, Me, too! My children call the ones that have gone to seed "blowies." I love that.
Well, if that isn't the most perfect Cat Window, I don't know what is.
I'm thankful today is the last day of school. We're all ready for the break.
Thankful for a much more normal school year. It started with masks and some Zoom schooling and all, but we were able to have end-of-year events this year--like the sports banquet and elementary field day--that we haven't done for a couple of years.
Thankful my sister-in-law's memorial service is tomorrow (a 12-hour drive away from us), so my husband will be able to be there. As the only bus driver for our school bus, with no substitutes, he really can't go anywhere during the school year.
Thankful for the lettuce I harvested last week from my garden. I do love my salads.
Thankful for the abundant and cheap ground water right where we live that makes it possible for us to water our garden when we get no rain. Which has been the case for two years now. Sigh.
Thankful for no wildfires near us. Given the current state of drought, it feels like the Sword of Damocles hanging over all of us all the time, just waiting for the next time a passing-through motorist flicks a cigarette butt out a car window (which was how the last one started).
That is such a good feeling, accomplishing all that you did and now getting a break!
My kids’ school had to shutdown this week due to a Covid outbreak. There’s a lot to be thankful for anyways though.
My kids have so far tested negative and have no symptoms, taking them for a PCR test today to be absolutely certain but I think we may be in the clear.
The outbreak seems to have stopped at 4 cases, which is pretty good considering how easily young kids share germs and almost the entire school is unvaccinated because most of the kids are under 5.
My work offers Covid leave, which can be used if you have Covid or are caring for someone with Covid but can also be used if your childcare becomes unavailable due to Covid. So I didn’t have to dip into vacation or other leave this week.
I’ve been enjoying the extra time with my kids. My husband and I have been splitting the day, so he watches them in the morning while I work, they then take naps and we both can work, and then I watch them in the afternoon while he works. It’s really my ideal schedule , because I enjoy my job but would also like a bit more time with the kids. Too bad this schedule would never be approved long term but I’m enjoying it for this week!
@LB, I can understand from an employer's view that full time workers are "easier" to manage, especially while training and figuring out workload. But, I think a lot of companies could benefit from allowing part time work. Lots of people (especially those with caregiving responsibilities) want to contribute to their family financially and grow their skills but don't want 40+ hours per week.
I'm glad your family is staying healthy and you've found a way to adapt to daycare closure. It's not easy!
I am a very sensory person, so walking around barefoot on wood floors/non carpet is one of the simple yet most appreciated joys of my life. I know that sounds crazy. We went on vacation recently to a home that had sticky floors (they were clean, just sticky?) and I had to go with shoes for a few days. I realized when I got home how grateful I was for clean, delicious feeling floors. So I'm reminded to be thankful for that today, after reading your post.
I am so looking forward to photos, photos, and more photos once you place all your 'new' furniture Kristen! And how lovely to have your oldest daughter in residence for the summer!
Over here, it's been a week, and not in a good way. My little corner of the world has been in the news, and my thankful list reflects that.
- That the Coastal Fire is now fully contained. We were close enough to need to remain aware, but we did not need to evacuate, for which I am thankful. However, a friend was directly impacted, and I am searching for ways to continue to provide emotional support other than just repeated 'I'm so sorry's.'. Ideas welcomed!
- For the fireman, both from our local company and the ones that came from surrounding areas. In a moment of serendipity, the husband that bought our old home is a fireman, and he was among the companies that traveled in to assist. So thankful.
- For the many people who generously offered a place to stay, pet lodging, baby formula, and food to all those impacted. And to the three national fast food chains that sent food to feed the battling firefighters.
- For our heavily moderated local social media page, which quickly shared information, provided information on where to find assistance and support, and shut down any and all attempts to point fingers and lay blame at a time when it was not needed or helpful.
- For the doctor that laid down his life in order to save other lives during Sunday's church shooting here. I would hope to be so brave should there ever be need.
As I said, it's been a week. 🙁
So happy for you, that you have the summer to rest & recover & that you are enjoying your new place.
1) That I'm almost over the jet lag from my first international work trip (since COVID)
2) For a coworker who convinces me to go to the office for early spin classes once a week. It makes the return to office slightly more enjoyable.
3) That finals week is almost here for my two high schoolers, which means we're in the home stretch of the stress, studying, and late nights.
4) For leftovers. It's been a really wild few weeks, and leftovers save my bacon on many, many evenings.
5) My husband, who held down the fort effectively while I was traveling. It's hard for one person to juggle, but he does it & we all got through!
I am so looking forward to photos, photos, and more photos once you place all your 'new' furniture Kristen! And how lovely to have your oldest daughter in residence for the summer!
Over here, it's been a week, and not in a good way. My little corner of the world has been in the news, and my thankful list reflects that.
- That the Coastal Fire is now fully contained. We were close enough to need to remain aware, but we did not need to evacuate, for which I am thankful. However, a friend was directly impacted, and I am searching for ways to continue to provide emotional support other than just repeated 'I'm so sorry's.'. Ideas welcomed!
- For the fireman, both from our local company, and the ones that came in from surrounding areas. In a moment of serendipity, the husband that bought our old home is a fireman, and he was among the companies that traveled in to assist. So thankful.
- For the many people who generously offered a place to stay, pet lodging, baby formula, and food to all those impacted. And to the three national fast food chains that sent food to feed the battling firefighters.
- For our heavily moderated local social media page, which quickly shared information, provided information on where to find assistance and support, and shut down any and all attempts to point fingers and lay blame at a time when it was not needed or helpful.
- For the doctor that laid down his life in order to save other lives during Sunday's church shooting here. I would hope to be so brave should there ever be need.
As I said, it's been a week. 🙁
@Tamara R,
Bless you, you have had a week, haven't you? My goodness.
I was briefly evacuated (about 48 hours) for a natural gas plant explosion, and what we needed were supplies we didn't have time to take like toothbrushes and contact solution, boarding for our pets, a place for showers and a place to sleep. A home-cooked meal is also good. I don't know if any of those will help, but that is what I remember needing most.
@JD, So helpful, thank you!
@Tamara R, Wow; glad you're ok in the midst of all that.. In terms of trying to help your friend, one thing we did when a friend lost their house to a wildfire was offer to help wade through some of the insurance-related info, even if it's just helping to think through the items lost and typing up lists.
There's a really great nonprofit called United Policyholders that has many resources available on their website such as sample claim letters and tips, info about insurance rights, etc. They have a free Disaster Recovery Handbook, "Ask an Expert" forum, insurance recovery library - just lots of great, really practical info - https://uphelp.org/recovery/
@Tamara R, it has been a difficult week for you. I’m so sorry. I am also thankful for the heroes that walk among us. It is amazing how some individual run towards danger to protect others when most us run from it. Sending love and prayers for a brighter tomorrow.0
@Tamara R,
When my parent's house flooded my mom had a friend that did their laundry for a few weeks and then when they were settled in a travel trailer while they repaired, my mom went over every week to do laundry. She appreciated not have to go to the laundry mat and the company
Thank you all for some truly thoughtful suggestions. This friend is in one of the few homes on that block of 30 that did not burn, but the homes on both sides of her did, and the remaining walls are at risk of falling into her home, so she is not allowed back in until both homes are demolished, which will take some time. And there is currently no gas or electricity anywhere along the street due to the danger of explosions. A long road, so again, thank you.
Ah, Kristen, I`m happy for you, all good things!
* I am also grateful to have hard wood floors and no carpet!
* Got a bunch of summer clothes at the thrift store for a very reasonable price
* My frugal ways
* Having many grocery stores and public library close by
* My family
Yay Kristen! Cheering for all of your successes. I hope you enjoy your summer break, time with your girls, and settling into your new home. 🙂
grateful for you and your blog. grateful that my daughter and hubby have mild cases of COVID. although i wish they didn't have it at all. grateful that a company is interested in hiring my hubby who lost his job at the same time he lost his dad.
Kristen, today I am very thankful for you and your positive attitude and this blog. I know life has been rough for you lately, and it is a blessing to read about your journey and see how God is taking care of you. I appreciate so much that you did not give up on the blog when you easily could have taken it off your plate for a season. I look forward to reading it every day.
I can't wait to see more pics of the house and your furniture rehab projects!
- I am thankful for the extra hot days we've had recently. My tomatoes and other veggies in the backyard are loving the heat.
- I'm thankful that everything in the front yard is blooming and gorgeous right now and I'm so glad I have the time to get out and weed, prune, etc. This year is the first in several that I've done much with the yard and I'm loving it.
- I'm so thankful for quiet mornings. The hour I have that is just me and the kitties each day is the perfect way to start the day! Journaling, meditation, etc.
- As always I'm thankful for my little business and its flexibility!
It's wonderful that your rental is turning out to be such a good place for you and your kids (and the cat!), Kristen. NOW you can appreciate that the other places fell through. It's hard when going through it, though, isn't it?
1. I'm thankful that my mowers came by last night and paid me the final money for the equipment they are buying. They are getting commercial quality equipment and I'm getting needed cash. Win-win!
2. I'm thankful that although it is getting hot for my pea plants, and I don't expect them to hold on much longer, they are producing right now. I eat the young pods, like snow peas, only these are a fun shade of purple.
3. I'm thankful that although my credit union's online and mobile upgrade has turned into a disaster (seriously, they've been down since last Friday) the employees are pitching in and helping as they can. I left a message for the main Jacksonville site and my local branch for much-needed paperwork for DH's nursing home, and an employee from a branch in a totally different part of the state from both of those places called me and got the paperwork to me in a couple of hours.
4. I'm grateful that my youngest took me out to lunch at a nearby town this past weekend. Eating fresh grilled fish outdoors in the shade with fans while a peaceful river rolled by was exactly what I needed.
5. I'm thankful that DH's nursing home has a courtyard with playground equipment, a water feature, a putting green and shaded seating, so that our younger grandkids can play as they visit with my husband outdoors, instead of everyone being cooped up in his room the entire time.
@JD, that is such a wonderful idea for the nursing home to have a family friendly outdoor space. I wish they all would do that.
- That the job I hate is almost done (last day Monday)
- that I enjoy playing with my 7-month old
- that my husband has been helping me get through the last stressful weeks of this job
Kristen - I only know you through this blog but I am sending you lots or virtual hugs nd casseroles and all of the support and encouragement you can imagine. The photos of your kitty enjoying that amazing window were so lovely and your sunny outlook is inspiring. Praying God's continued abundant blessings over you and your family!!
This week I am thankful....
For having had a lovely beach vacation with family, beautiful weather, great food and time away from the grind.
For the means to install a zoning system on our HVAC unit. As hot weather arrives the temperature difference is very uncomfortable and not economical at all so this will allow us to be cool and more efficient.
For having crossed passed with a great guy in our area who is grading our backyard for a fraction - very small fraction of what the landscape companies wanted to charge.
That I was able to begin planting my garden this week. My goal is to have it all planted before month end so I am trudging along mosquito bites and all! I keep telling my 6 year old son we are growing groceries and he looks at me with the best expression ever. As if we are growing snack cakes although he knows it is tomatoes.
Good health for all of those around me. Being able to replace our gutters. Lovely flowers growing. Blueberry & blackberry bushes to plant. Seeds to plant in abundance. Light at the end of the tunnel.
Blessings to all!
@Angie, I love the "As if we are growing snack cakes..." line. Judging by the number of Little Debbie wrappers I find on our street (which a large percentage of the local high school students use to get to the school), I should have a fine volunteer crop of Swiss Rolls, etc, by now. Alas, they don't seem to be self-seeding.
I am so happy to see you in such a nice rental. The area looks beautiful!!
I am Thankful that I am at the tail end of my COVID infection and that it has not been that terrible (though disappointed that my non-infected superhero status has come to an end....ha!!). And thankful that it seems to have got only my daughter and me.....the boys in my house are fine! Thankful for sick time to cover the shifts that I am missing. Also, so glad that I tested before going to see my 83 year old father (he has so far avoided it and left yesterday for 2 weeks travel).
so glad that the summer seems to be peeking through.
🙂
So happy for you to have a break from the chaos! My 2 cats try to con me into second feeding also! while they are both getting up there in years (one will soon be 20! the other is 17), they are still clever little buggers! So I've had to get repairs done on both vehicles (one very inexpensive, the other notsomuch), am currently in the process of replacing my A/C unit (RIP my cool friend!), and I have a feeling my hot water tank is preparing to meet its demise. This all following having to replace my fridge and having hardwood floors installed to provide a safer walking surface for my mom who has mobility issues. (Hardwood floors. Wow! Beautiful but $$$$!) So all that being said, it was difficult to come up with my thankful list but... I'm thankful to be working and able to manage these necessary repairs. I'm thankful that my former A/C lasted as long as it did (20 years!) I'm still thankful to be working from home now since I'm saving a ton of time and money without the long commute. I'm thankful for a daughter that calls me every day and makes me laugh simply by saying "Mom." with a giggle in her voice. Thankful the mandates have been lifted and I was able to attend my best friend's Mother's funeral in person. Finally, I'm thankful for Kristen's blog. her words and attitude gently reminds me that there is always something to be thankful for. Making these lists shows me that my blessings far outweigh my difficulties.
What wonderful things you are thankful for!
I am thankful for the seven or more cheerful and efficient professionals who answered my phone calls to clear up four health care billing issues, from four completely different services, (dental, lab, doctor, hospital). I am thankful I am literate enough to be able to understand bills and insurance.
Thankful I am starting to feel better. Hubby and I had Covid this week and it has been less than fun but I feel a little less stuffy this morning.
Thankful I get my older son home with me while he is in quarantine. So far our kiddos haven’t gotten sick but he is still home from school which has been kinda fun playing hooky and just hanging out all day together.
Thankful for target pickup. We can’t go into stores right now so being able to have someone put the groceries in the car is awesome.
Thankful for fresh asparagus, rhubarb, and mint from our garden. Perennial edibles are my favorite kind of plant!
Thankful for our friendly neighborhood cat. I am terribly allergic so we could never have a cat in our home, but being able to pet and snuggle one outside every day is such a blessing.
Your place looks so pretty and I'm with you on hard floors. The first thing I do when I buy a place is pull out all the carpet and run an air purifier. All the dust and mystery stains make me twitch.
I'm so totally thankful that I found a huge tub of baba ganoush at Costco. Mmmmmmmmmmm
Yes, you get exactly what I'm saying. It's the whole not knowing what happened on that carpet before!
This week I am grateful that I found what I believe are good renters, although they're the kind of people who simply don't answer a question when they want to say no, which drives me up the wall. We're redoing much of the cottage for them, since the previous tenants trashed the place, and when I say, "Do you want X or Y" I would like to, you know, get an answer. Not no answer and then a day later, "So, Y then?" and they then thanks me. GAH! People! Just answer a direct question! My family is so blunt I am very unused to people like that.
Also the cottage is coming along and will be very cute again, although different from the way I originally designed it, which I loved but (insert bit about trashed appliances and kitchen cabinets etc).
I am so thrilled this is the last week of school for my daughter because her commuting is soooooooooooo expensive.
I'm grateful to have a good job although I've made several mistakes (not major ones, but unusual for me) in the past couple of weeks because of the unrelenting stress and I need to have a chat about it with my manager tomorrow. I'm a 57 year old professional who's been working for 40 years. I don't need to be chided like a teenager, and if I say sorry, but I've been under a lot of stress, I'll get the line about how we're all under stress (oh yeah? like mine? I think not) so I will just say sorry, won't happen again etc. Sigh. Time to take my medicine.
I'm even grateful I had a breakdown this week because it forced me to confront how little I'd been paying to my own mental health and wellness. Time to make some changes.
And grateful for this exercise every week and for the world's cutest kitten.
I don’t usually do this but I needed an attitude adjustment. This helped so much. Thanks Kristen!
1. I am thankful my son is excited to go to high school. We’ve homeschooled till now and he is itching to go. He signed up for honors classes and wants to do all of the things. Covid era was hard on him and I’m so grateful he can go to the small private school down the street. The stars aligned. I’m so grateful. (It’s bittersweet but I’m grateful!
2. My daughter has made some new friends and is also going to start a different homeschool program next year. It offers in person classes once a week. Covid era was hard on her too.
3. That summer is coming!
4. I just had a birthday abs I get to live another trip around the sun. I also feel so blessed by the little ways my people reached out. I’m an introvert, so no party for me but a few friends stopped by unexpectedly! So lovely! And I also didn’t have to cook for a few days!! Such a gift, esp when your in a cooking rut.
5. I’m thankful for this cool foggy morning. It’ll be blazing soon enough, I’m thankful for the cool mornings!
I'm so happy for your rental! It sounds so perfect for you and the girls.
So glad that you found a wonderful spot!
This week (and every week), I am thankful that my husband and I are vegetarians. We have found that eating a whole, plant-based diet is better for our budget, health, and the environment.
Yay to your school success! Great story of your rental find, landlord care, and dear neighbors.
I feel that much of professors' and neighbors' niceness toward you is your own niceness reflected back to you. It’s how the world works, ideally.
I am truly thankful that a vicious cold that laid me low for weeks tested negative for covid and is a treatable sinusitis.
So thankful for a husband who takes over the daily chores when needed and for sons who are hardworking and achieving their goals through their efforts.
It's been 28 years since I finished nursing school and I STILL remember the relief of being done for the semester. So happy for you!
I'm thankful that my family got through Covid mostly well. My mom had more issues than the rest of us (had to get the antibody treatment but is on the mend) but I had a minor cold, my wife had a bad cold and my daughter got a free week off of school with some sniffling.
I'm thankful that I found someone to care for my lawn. My last guy quit and I just don't want to do it any more (don't want to own the mower, do the work etc.) I don't like paying for it but it is what it is.
I'm thankful that I don't own a pickup truck or a very large gas hungry vehicle. I drive a paid off sedan which is more than enough for me. I know some people paying close to $1,000 a month for their vehicle loans and I just don't get it! I guess I'm thankful that I'm okay with not having the best of the best.
I'm also very thankful that work hasn't been too insane. It's been busy but not insane.
@Battra92, My son owns a vintage sports car that needs premium. $88 to fill it up yesterday. UGH. Maybe a certain Russian leader will leave this mortal coil soon and prices will go down. We can hope.
@Rose,
I think about the family farmers, who need trucks that can pull or haul big loads and usually have some diesel equipment as well. Fuel prices are killing them - one local farmer was telling me recently how much she spends on gas for her truck, but she can't be without it. She sells directly to the public, and has to keep her prices somewhat competitive with big stores, so she's in a squeeze right now.
@JD, Yeah honestly I have no sympathy or shed any tears for the people who can't use their toys (sports cars, flashy trucks etc.) I worry about the farmers, the truckers, construction workers etc.
We're in a bad way in a lot of ways now.
@Battra92, his car is not a toy, it's a needed way to get around, but thanks for the shade.
First, Kristen, I'm so glad that you've gotten through your rough semester with flying colors, and that the rental is working out so well.
It's been a discouraging week in some respects for me. But here are the things I'm thankful for:
(1) DH's ward supervisor has reported that PT has actually gotten him to take a few steps up and down the hall on those noodly legs! Loud cheers!!
(2) I'm putting my thrifting superpowers to work in a good cause: A gravely ill relative of the Bestest Neighbors has asked me to go shopping for some comfy shorts and sweatpants for her. I was very happy to oblige. (No problem with the sweatpants, but the shorts I've been finding are all much shorter than the length she requested. I'm reminded of that old joke about the brevity of mini-skirts back in the mini-skirt era: "Short, shorter, and 'Good morning, Judge.'")
(3) And I've been on the phone frequently with my recently widowed JASNA BFF. Not only is more going on (with both of us) than emails will do justice to, but some of her local friends seem to feel that she's not "letting things out" enough. She's a naturally stoic and reserved person, and I'm trying to provide reassurance that we all grieve in our own ways and that she should just be herself. Thankful that I can be of some help here as well.
(4) And on a lighter note, Verizon has emailed me that I can expect the check for the $4.59 refund shortly. To crank out another ancient bad joke, I am waiting at the mailbox like the cat who ate cheese and sat at the mousehole: "with baited breath."
@A. Marie,
I appreciate your #3. I had several people tell me I was holding in and hiding my grief and that it would eventually "hit me," to my detriment, after my parents died. This even after I had explained that I had been given the gift of peace about their deaths as an answer to my prayer, and while I certainly cried when it happened and once in a while afterwards, such as on their birthdays that year, I was not "hiding or holding in" my grief - I was truly at peace. Almost 25 years later, I can still say the same thing. There is no one way to grieve. Thank you for supporting your reserved friend. You are helping her so much.
Your #3...yes. I think your feelings are your feelings, and whether they are visible or quiet, static or or dynamic, they just ARE.
I'm obviously not widowed, but my situation comes with its own flavor of grief, and I figure that I just need to ride the feelings roller coaster, and eventually the hills on this coaster route will level out a bit. The only way out is through.
@A. Marie, regarding your quest for sweats and shorts.
1. If you have plenty of time, you can online order from Blair. They design things for the older woman who doesn't want to look like she needs a lamppost beneath which to hang out. Good prices also.
2. You can get good deals at the thrift store and cut them to the length she needs.
@Anne, thanks for the suggestions. I think I'll act on your #2 by getting some capris and cutting those off to Bermuda length. And the "lamppost" line is priceless.
@JD and @Kristen, thanks as always for your affirmations. I certainly agree that "You do you" and "Ride out the feelings your own way" apply to all kinds of grieving.
I'm thankful I traveled to New England last weekend with a family member and we spent a lot of time visiting family. We were extremely lucky traffic wise which made it an even more wonderful trip.
I'm thankful for all the things that go right everyday that are easy to overlook: reliable electricity, modern plumbing, HVAC systems, grocery stores with plenty of food, a vehicle that works.
I'm thankful a friend's son is being released from prison this week. I'd thought he was going to be paroled in the fall.
I'm thankful I'm old enough for a second Covid booster. I will go tomorrow to a local pharmacy for mine.
I'm thankful for some of the perspective/lessons the pandemic provided: more activity is not always better, much shopping is unnecessary.
I'm grateful the library does not charge fines for overdue material. They now auto renew items and I sometimes lose track of what is due when.
I'm so happy for the blessing of you finding the rental house.
This week I am thankful
- that I was able to quickly get a dentist appointment and that nothing was seriously wrong with my tooth extraction site, just a tiny sliver of bone worked its way out and was irritating the gums
- that the kids are planning our makeup Mother's day for this weekend
- that I have felt well enough to exercise this week
- that my car only needed basic maintenance service, it's over 12 years old so I was worried it might need something big
- that we finally got the check for my husband's business trip after he procrastinated on submitting his expense report
I don't usually comment, but reading your blog today made me so thankful that God does know what is best for us even when we can't see it! I love when we are able to see something as a "God thing" such as the wonderful rental you have. Often when I read your blog, I pray for you and your family in this unfamiliar and somewhat unsettling season.
I am thankful for:
- Just had a lovely visit with family in the UP of Michigan. Besides a lovely time with them, we got to see an area of the country we had never visited. I decided I could sit for hours by Lake Superior listening to the waves.
- Haven't had to shop too much recently, but today was a big eye opener at how grocery prices have gone up in the last couple weeks. However, I was able to check out the bruised produce section and got a bag of 8 assorted tomatoes for $1 (I only saw a tiny split place in one of them, the rest seem fine) and another bag of slightly bruised apples for $1.
- After reading about Buy Nothing on this blog, I joined our local group. I have not received anything yet (no need) but have been able to gift several things as I did spring cleaning. Thankful to be able to help others in this way.
Kristen, what an uplifting post, so glad the rental came your way and you and your family (and kitty) are settling in. And so glad your professor sent you words of encouragement--we all need confirmation that we are doing well and in the right place!
I'm grateful for a good friend to talk to when I'm feeling most overwhelmed with negative news/gossip/reality about my work place.
I'm grateful for the ability to cut through the noise and disruptions and see what really matters is still present in my life.
I'm grateful for the work I do and the ability to make a difference in a student's life.
I'm grateful for my family, we're all getting by and doing our best and support each other when the disappointments inevitably come our way, sometimes a disappointment can later reveal itself to be a blessing in the long run!
I'm grateful for music in my life, comforting and can be a game changer when I'm unmotivated or stuck.
Coffee, 'nuf said!
Karen
This week I’m thankful -
That I was able to attend a concert with old friends last Friday.
That my walk-in visit to the orthopedic office only took a couple of hours, including x-rays.
That this course of “z” pack steroids I’m taking will soon be done.
That my husband’s prosthetic issues are temporarily resolved.
That we got some rain the other day. My bum knee has interrupted my spring flower/vegetable planting & some plants were starting to look weary.
Glad that you, Kristen, will have at least one less thing on your to-do list for a while.
Ooh! I am also excited for you to have time to read for fun. That will be wonderful! And thank you for sharing the story of how your rental situation came to you. Such a blessing!
This week I'm thankful:
* that my daughter will have a friend at summer camp! This all came together this morning. We had plans months ago for her to go with a different friend and I found out on Sunday that it fell through, so I reached out to parents of two other friends and one said that his daughter was already signed up for that camp and it turned out to be the same week! I'm so, so excited for God working it out for them to go to this new (to them, not to me) place together.
* for my village of people. On Tuesday a friend from church took my 2 littles to the playground so I could log some volunteer hours with my other child's school, then after school a different friend called to see if we could pick up her kiddo from daycare since they're down a car and struggling to juggle, then it worked out that what we had planned for dinner was easy to double and we got to have them over for dinner. I just thought, "Yes! The body of Christ helping each other! I love it!" It was a joy-filled day.
* for hot coffee on a day that is taking a long time to warm up.
* that my oldest was baptized this past Sunday. I was a little surprised when she asked to do it (none of her friends have yet that I'm aware of and she's only 8 years old) but she kept asking over a period of a few weeks, so she went to our church's baptism class, wrote out her own story of faith, and read it in front of the entire church. I'm amazed at her commitment and courage.
Your last one...so sweet!
Kristen, it is lovely to read about the kindness of your professor and the light in the darkness that led to you getting into the rental house. (((HUGS)))
I am so thankful that my summer work assignment has so far turned out to be nice and low-key. Last summer was awful, and this summer is the exact opposite. Also thankful that my little Honda Fit celebrated its 12th birthday last week and is still humming along, with the only issue that the driver's seat is getting butt-sprung. However, I had a coupon for Ollie's Outlet and bought a pair of memory foam chair cushions, one of which is doing a fine job making the seat more comfortable. Forever thankful for my little family and our pack of critters, and for our wonderful, sturdy old house.
My Toyota minivan is humming along, but it's not quite as old as your Fit...mine's 10 years old now.
Just a quick one, as I am still working tonight: I am super grateful that we have rain today!
My swim fell through because of it but I've smiled all day.
Your windows are really lovely Kristen!!!
I’m so happy things are looking up for you. Are you going to do a summer bucket list this year?
This week I am grateful that my husband has a promising interview for a new job. He is not happy with his current position or company. In fact, he is miserable. I am hopeful he will be able to make this change. Prayers please.
I am thankful that DH and I were able to take a lovely vacation together. Everything went blissfully well - no flight delays, confusion with reservations, or other difficulties. We also blessed by many small kindnesses.
I’m happy that my son, who has taken a position in Alaska, has traveled safely through Canada on the Alaska Highway and will soon be at his destination.
I am thankful that my daughter and SO have found and bought a house. This has not been an easy task in this market.
I also am extremely grateful for AC. Temps are in the 90s already. Yuck!!!
Wishing everyone peace and good health.
I had not even THOUGHT about a summer bucket list until you left this comment.
Hmm. I supposed a summer bucket list is probably even more important this year for me. Maybe I'll do one!
I just stopped and prayed about your husband's just interview. I hope it's the right one for him!
@Kristen,
Thank you that means so much.
@Bee,
I prayed too, Bee, and I'm sure we aren't the only ones. Best of luck to him!
I had to turn my A/C on, too. I agree, yuck.
@Bee,
Praying for a good outcome for your husband's interview. Our younger DS just switched jobs for the amount of stress in his previous one. Good luck to both of them!
I am thankful for a chance to eat free barbecue with friends. (A friend was hired to take pictures and videos for a restaurants advertising campaign. We were sort of "hand models" for the food and got paid in tri-tip and ribs.)
I am thankful we are getting our heater fixed tomorrow. It is no longer heater weather but it will be nice to know that we could heat the house if desired.
I am thankful for the lovely weather. It is in the 70's and 80's with a slight breeze and I get to keep the windows open and listen to the birds.
I am thankful that my Dad re-sealed the bathroom tub and I no longer have to look at the blackening old seal.
Ooh, tri-tip and ribs are very good freebies!!
Thankful this Thursday for…
1. Spending four hours and lunch with my young granddaughters
2. Cutting up a fresh juicy and sweet pineapple.
3. Clean and fresh linen on our bed.
4. Having help to move our heavy bed to clean under it
5. Home cooked Spanish Rice & Pork Chops.
I am thankful for your post! Congratulations!
I'm thankful that good things are happening for you. You deserve all these blessings, both big and small. I hope you can soak them up and let them be a balm for your soul.
I'm also thankful for my farm share starting up again and for the ability to shop in person at Aldi. Having choice in our produce options is a privilege I don't want to take for granted.
Finally, I'm thankful for spring weather. I love hearing all the birds with the windows open. Spring is such a lovely little interlude between winter and summer which can both have such challenging weather extremes.
That cheese is the BEST.
Kristen, I'm so glad for you that renting is going well and your semester has had a sweet finish.
My thankfulness centers on the end of the school year:
1. my son's (retiring) teacher who has had him for 4 years in the severe/profound disabilities unit. She has seen him through his awful days and delightful days. She has seen me in tears and ready to give up and encouraged me along the way. She has been a fierce advocate for my son who had a lot to overcome. She spoke life over my son and our family, and I am convinced we would not be where we are today had she not been part of our story.
2. My son's aide(s)-oh he's had several, and they've all been good, but this year's aide has been another mom to him, and she has taught me so much.
3. My son's progress-when we brought him to school for the first time he was suffering from reactive attachment disorder, gross developmental delay, and profound communication disability. He was unhappy, inconsolable, and in need of such tender care. Today he loves everyone he meets and is loved by everyone he meets. He makes sure everyone feels loved and included. He tells us all that he is thinking and participates in a general education class half his day. He's graduated to a new program, and I'm so proud of him.
3. Endings that are bittersweet. This is our last year at this school because of my son's progress, and I'm so thankful. But I'm so sad. What a blessing it is to have developed such relationships that leaving is hard. It is good to be known, and that happened at this school, as I'm sure it will at the next one.
@Kaitlin, such good news about your son. Wow. Your #3 made my day!
Aww, your whole post made me smile. What a wonderful period of collaboration between the teachers, aides, your son, and you.
@Kaitlin,
The best thankfulness post. It brought tears of awe at the care and work of your family and the wonderful team that helped your son so, so much. Thanks for sharing.
Today I am thankful:
*for lovely weather for the kids' soccer game this evening. Not too hot, not too cold.
*that my husband was the frugal/tough one this evening after the game. I sort of wanted to take the kids out for ice cream cones (last game + a birthday in the family), but he made the wiser decision to stop at the grocery store for cones and ice cream to take home. (I think the quote that came today for our vehicle repair was shocker for both of us.)
*for the library and for kids who are old enough to keep track of due dates for me.
*that my eldest only has a couple of subjects to finish up before graduation. Then again, I cried a bit today when I realized that I will probably only meet with him one more time, one-on-one, to grade his work, etc. Ever. It has been a very good homeschooling experience with him.
*that my father's cataract surgery this week seems to have gone well.
*for my Jane Austen reading group. This month is Mansfield Park; I'm giving it another chance.
@Jody S., let me know how your rereading of Mansfield Park goes. I find that the older I get, the more I appreciate it. And I'll defend Fanny Price against any detractors. (An older JASNA friend of mine claims that all she did to lead a breakout session at an early Annual General Meeting was to step to the lectern, say, "Fanny Price: Yes or no?", and let the argument rage for the next 40 minutes.)
Are those sweet potato crackers? We buy them, ostensibly for my celiac kid, but I think I eat them more often.
This week I'm thankful for beautiful, sunny skies; for perennials that my parents gave us as they're redoing part of their yard; for rain today; for coworkers who have my back; for students who actually express gratitude; and that it's 1 more week until school is out.
This is like when I bought a jar of cookie butter for Sonia, thinking it would be a stand-in for peanut butter. And then I ate the whole jar myself. Heh.
And yes, they're Trader Joe's sweet potato crackers!
Kristen I am so pleased and thankful you have found a home. Enjoy you summer with your girls.
I ran into a glass door at work this week. Someone had shut it shortly before. Grateful that my head and neck seem to keep up. Had one day of headaches and am taking things very very slowly now.
And in my pray-every-day app I heard the most wonderful song: 'Belong' by Jamie Ward, a Canadian singer-songwriter. We alle try to belong in one way or another, issues may keep coming up during our lifetime, and praying to Jesus about those issues is just something to be intensely grateful for.
Oh and this month is very very green here as well! I went to the woods early today to see the sun carve its way into the light mist between the trees.
I am a different Sophie the one above!
Congratulations on the house Kristen and thrilled you have your cat back!
This week I am grateful for the silver light on the sea, a good place to live and the fact that my semester is almost over. The end of my thesis is in sight, although it seems far off right now!
You must live somewhere very beautiful...silver light on the sea sounds just lovely!
@Kristen, I live in Denmark 🙂
Oh, yes, so you have lots of seas around you!