Thankful Thursday | no A/C on my list this week!
This week, I am thankful:
for a cooler week
I have not needed to be thankful for A/C this week. Ha.
That's because this whole past week has been a wonderful break from the usual hot August weather we get, and I am super thankful!
that this is my last year teaching math
I get my kids through Algebra 2 and after that, I hand them over to the community college.
Zoe's doing Algebra 2 this year, so this is my very last year of math with my very last student.
And I personally do not need any more math credits for my degree, so I really am done with math classes after this year!
for my van
I might not need its eight-seat capacity like I used to for hauling my kids and their friends.
But it is still extremely useful! We use it to carry kayaks, to carry bikes, and to haul camping gear.
And this weekend, we will use it to help Lisey move into her rented room.
I hope to keep the van until it dies because even when we are empty-nesters, I can still see it being useful to us.
that the weather looks good for helping Lisey move
Mid-80s and no rain makes for good moving weather.
for eBay textbooks
I got all of the books for Zoe's British Literature class on eBay for a total of $20. Woohoo!
And you know I will put them right back on eBay when she's done. 😉
that Sonia's American Lit book finally sold
It's been on eBay for over a year, but lo and behold, someone bought it this week. Sweet.
for healthy bodies
Mr. FG and I have been having adventures while Sonia and Zoe are at my uncle's cabin; we've done two 30 mile bike rides, a 6 mile hike, and lots of walking, and I have been feeling grateful for bodies that can do these things!
for a partner who likes to do active things
Usually when we go on trips by ourselves, we end up doing, at bare minimum, a lot of walking. And I appreciate that.
for help from a guy at Dick's Sporting Goods
When we got to our biking spot last Saturday, we realized that one of the girls had been the last one to use Mr. FG's bike, so his seat was way too low.
And his is the type you need a tool to adjust.
Luckily, across the street there was a Dick's Sporting Goods store, and the guy in the bike department let Mr. FG borrow his tool. Whew!
Riding 30 miles with a too-low seat would have been pretty miserable.
that the girls have been enjoying themselves on their trip
Only Zoe went last year, but she talked Sonia into going along this year. And as it turns out, Sonia has been skiing, surfing, tubing, and knee-boarding, which is sort of surprising because she is not usually as adventurous as Zoe.
I'm delighted that they're having fun doing water sports with their cousins.
What are you thankful for this week?
I am also thankful for an adventurous husband! Love bike riding with him. We usually have a great time and like to find different places to ride.
I am thankful that I had my knee fixed last year before Covid happened and that I am able to ride this year and mostly thru Covid. And for having a bicycle before Covid hit because they are hard to find now.
Thankful for a new planner where I will be tracking a lot of money that we don't normally track. I'm trying to get our finances together and we seem to be going overboard so tracking will be something new.
Thankful that our dog is doing well for his 11 years of age. Took him for shots the other day and he was not pleasant and had to muzzled. He didn't even like my husband holding him, so he had to be muzzled and did get his shots. And thankfully he didn't bite before we got the muzzle on!
Thankful for a healthy family. Didn't have a 5th item, but I am so thankful that my family (including all of our siblings) are doing well and are vaccinated.
Reading of your bike adventures with your husband, I was envious at first, as my sweet, 79 year old husband has had knee issues for a decade, and even with two knee replacements, still walks slowly, at least compared to me. We stopped being able to bike or hike some years ago.
But I immediately remembered he IS very adventurous in all other ways and will go absolutely anywhere I think of and comes up with ideas of his own. We have traveled the world and he is up for anything that he can do physically. It has been an absolute joy as I'm aware that many men do not consider having new adventures as something desirable.
He's my treasure and boy, am I thankful for him.
@Anne, you are indeed fortunate to have a husband who likes to travel. Mine does not like it at all, so I am thankful for friends who like to travel and for tour travel companies that welcome solo travelers.
Wow, we got a little cooler yesterday, but no a/c? That hasn't happened here.
1. I am incredibly thankful for my husband's caregiver, as she gets ready to take him to his dental appointment in our town, 50+ miles from where I work. If I had to take him, I would lose a half-day's work, which means the ever present struggle of deciding if a half-day's work is worth driving an hour to work then an hour home again when it is time to take him to an appointment.
2. That he slept through the night last night so I didn't have to get up in the night. That's rare, these days.
3. That it was overcast yesterday and had cooled enough that a short walk at lunch was actually pleasant, not sweat-inducing. It's a pity the cooler air won't last, but I'll take it while I get it.
4. For the Hallelujah! news that my great-niece's eye treatments seem to be working and her sight is showing improvement. She is only 24 and has to get shots in her eyes to try and save her sight. They started right away on treatment, so she can still function fairly normally and hopes to be able to continue doing so. Things are looking hopeful there.
5. For the flowers in my yard that still bloomed in the mid-nineties heat and the high humidity (93%!) we've been having till yesterday, which proves that it was indeed a good idea to plant mostly native flowering plants.
@JD,
Ooh... Uninterrupted sleep is such a gift! I'm glad you both had a good night!
@JD, I second Ruth T's motion about the uninterrupted sleep. I'm STILL catching up on mine.
And to all you ladies who are celebrating still being able to do active things with your husbands, I say wistfully: Enjoy it while you can. I have a feeling that JD would say the same.
@A. Marie,
As always, you are exactly right about all of it. Thanks for your encouragements!
Thankful that my son is now sleeping the entire night in his own bed without coming into our room multiple times per night.
Thankful for more restful sleep in these last days, more time for self care for Mom - like showers in the evenings, reading, relaxing, and general Me time.
Thankful for a smooth start to Kindergarten this morning. My little guy was so excited to meet his teacher earlier this week and jumped out of the car in the car pool line and headed into a new school without even looking back. I admit my heart broke a bit and I shed a few tears on the way home but I am so excited for this next stage of learning for him!
Thankful for the start of back to school season which means we are approaching fall. I know I am early but I am already getting excited about candles, flannel, jeans, pumpkins and cooler days.
Thankful for several days spent organizing and purging in preparation for the new school year. This was a lot of work but gosh when it is done I just feel so much lighter and relaxed.
Happy Thursday Friends!
So very thankful there are good people in the world. We went to my mother-in-law's (months delayed) funeral and inurnment for her, father-in-law, and uncle, in very small towns in rural areas. My husband's family are good people.
Thankful for traditions that provide continuity through the decades. Yes, there were some jello dishes at the church reception, (orange with grated carrots/my Mom would have put olives and pimentos in hers; red with bananas and cool whip), and 7-layer salad, and yes, no one wanted to get in food line first, and no one wanted to line up for a cousins photo, even though I am sure they will be glad to have it. And the hymns at the funeral were so old they might classify as folk songs by now. These are all comforting things.
And I am thankful for modern health care, and for people who have good senses of humor.
@Heidi Louise,
I've been to a few of those types of funerals in my life; too many in fact. Sadly some are all but inevitable in the next few years, I'm afraid. (and sadly three people close to me had nothing for them thanks to Covid restrictions)
Wow! It's hard to believe it's time for Lisey to head out! So exciting!! I'll be praying for you both during the transition.
Today I'm thankful:
* for a quiet morning at home. We've been go-go-going lately since COVID numbers were super low in our county and we've had lots of fun summer things and friends to enjoy. But my dishes, laundry, and garden all appreciated a morning at home.
* for the shade on our back deck. It almost always had shade no matter the time of day and it's such a gift. The kids played with their Little People toys out there for at least 2 hours this morning.
* that I found a neighbor to give a bunch of summer squash and zucchini to! I've been drowning in it and hadn't found many people who wanted any. Today was the winner! Hooray for not wasting food and for being able to help some neighbors.
* that my kids like all of the things I make with turkey. I made a big one this week but they've been loving the leftover turkey by itself or in the meals I've made. It's nice when they're excited about something I'm making because it's cheap!
I can only imagine the emotions of having two kids out of the house. I know some people at work like to say things like "two down and two to go!" as if they are eager to have an empty nest but personally I'm thankful that I have a long time before that happens (and this is after someone threw a huge tantrum this morning because she somehow became incapable of picking out clothes for herself.)
I'm also thankful that selling on eBay is going well. I'm not getting rich but I'm willing to part with some things if there's some financial incentive. I have sold just about everything I put up but I do have more to list.
That I have some time off to look forward to.
I am thankful for the young lady that comes to our house 2 times a year for a deep clean I simply can't do anymore (age, bad back, knee, ankle, left arm and hand). She is about average in price and is so kind and funny. It is not pleasant when you can no longer grip with the 'good hand' and getting up and down is a two person event. She also does minor fixes and has already done two today. House fixes and repairs are simply beyond me and have always been. I have no idea why except it was also beyond both parents and my sibling (is there such a thing as family inabilities?)
I am thankful for my friend that brought over an extra Sunday coupon insert she found. Although coupons are not as good as they were 10-30 years ago some do still come in handy especially now with rising prices.
I am thankful for our two daughters who don't seem to mind helping their aging parents with a number of things we have never had to ask for help for.
I am thankful for our computers and tablets that let us watch and research things we are interested in.
I am thankful for our youngest daughter's 2 dogs. They will sit in your lap (the smallest one) or stand in front of you (the biggest one) and let you talk to them and rub their backs as long as you would like. I am allergic to most dogs but not those 2 (they are short hair and not much dander).
I am thankful that I have God in my life. He is always with me and watching Him work is awesome.
I am thankful for this blog for many reasons and the people that inhabit it and the Frugal Girl for having it.
Sounds funny, I am thankful I checked the markdown section of local store. The man who did markdown was putting things on shelf and i scored.. 3 80ct boxes of snuggle dryer sheets $1.20 each smashed boxes, 5 12 ct rolls bathroom tissue $2.65 each.
@Marilyn, I don't think it's funny; I agree! It's such a blessing when I find marked down items we can use. I'm so glad for you!
I am thankful for............
my productive vegetable garden,
my beautiful flower gardens,
my clean, detailed car courtesy of my teenage grandson who volunteered to do it,
my local library and the super nice staff who work there,
that I don't have classes to prep for the fall since I have given up my part-time teaching job.
I am thankful for -
A red tailed hawk who gave me a show this morning, he must be a juvenile as his flying is hit or miss.
Free produce for some friends, a couple of things I did not want to plant this year.
Local produce market gave me their old bananas, I will make bread.
I have made 6 pints of Blackberry Jelly. Our plants were loaded again this year.
For an outdoor event sponsored by our local police department. Lots of things to do & all of it free. Included hot dogs, chips, ice cream and water. We are so lucky to have such an awesome crew devoted to our community.
That my trip planning resulted in finding an inexpensive Airbnb for cheap as they only had 3 days available so he lowered the price to fill that week in.
TT, Car Talk Edition:
Thankful that in the absence of the Bestest Neighbors (who are on vacation till 8/8), my lovely 82-year-old neighbor next door to the south was able to be my backup driver for taking my 2010 Honda Element to my trusty Goodyear shop for its annual going-over. God bless her.
Even more thankful that the Element passed NYS inspection and didn't need anything besides the oil change I'd already asked for and the replacement of various filters. As DH used to say (he favored Hondas for everything from motorcycles to snowblowers), "Hey, it's a Honda. It's gonna run."
And exceedingly thankful that I won't have any worries about the Element when I take my NYC Jane Austen BFF over to the next city to the west next week for our Triple Birthday Celebration with another JA friend there (we all have August birthdays). BFF arrives on 8/12, and in addition to the TBC on 8/13, we're gonna go knock over a few thrift shops and my local Wegmans together. (Manhattan will finally be getting its own Wegmans, but not till 2023.) As BFF likes to say, "We're going to paint the town a discreet Wedgwood blue."
@A. Marie, Happy Birthday! I hope that you and your JA friends have triple the fun next week. Birthdays are a gift.
@A. Marie, "paint the town a discreet Wedgwood blue" - love it : )
Sounds like a delightful weekend; safe travels and happy birthday(s) !
@A. Marie, Happy Birthday!!
@A. Marie,
I love your BFF's line! Happy birthday to you, and enjoy it, very very much!!!
@A. Marie, wishing you a fun and colorful birthday with your friends!
Did the comments used to start with newest at the top or was the just my imagination?
I am thankful for A/C, hot here in central FL. The rain cools it off about 5 degrees but with that comes humidity! 😉
I'm thankful that my in-laws live here now and we are able to see them frequently.
I'm thankful to live in FL, I will leave it at that.
I'm thankful my son and family had a safe journey on their move from NE to TX.
I'm thankful that we just paid off my husband's truck that we bought in January. VERY nice to have paid for, reliable cars.
@Deb, I think the comment order reversed a week or so ago.
Yes. I like having the newer ones at the top, but sadly, the new theme was also putting nested comments in that order. And that made reading replies super confusing! So for now, this seems like the best option.
@Kristen, I agree-- reading comments bottom-to-top was confusing.
On a week that I had to call the plumber twice, and take my car into the shop, I am especially grateful for my emergency fund!
I am thankful for the friend that gifted me with a card-making class for my birthday. It was a lot of fun.
I am grateful for my silly cats who keep me company and are endlessly entertaining.
I am thankful for the Olympics and the opportunity to watch sports I don't get to see very often.
I am thankful that the smoke from the western wildfires has blown out of the area for the moment.
@Lorraine, a card making class sounds fun! I'm not very crafty, but I do love giving nice cards and I think they are small enough that I could handle it. Do you have any tips you could share?
I, too, am thankful for a cooler week. Upper 80s feels so grand after the 100+ of last week. We've been spending so much more time outside, and the sun is good.
Thankful for time with my daughter watching gymnastics. She's enamored with the flipping and jumping and twisting, so we got up early in the morning to snuggle and watch Team USA and the other nations duke it out. It was such a sweet time together.
Growth in my kids. There are weeks when I think a particularly issue will never go away, and then it starts to dissipate, and then eventually it's gone. This week was one where I'm starting to see a shift in one of my kids, and it excites me.
This is something so small that has given me a surprisingly large amount of joy: Zbars aren't made with wheat! I really like them but wheat upsets my stomach, and I (assuming they were made it with wheat) thought it odd that when I ate them (usually when I forgot to get snacks for me) they didn't bother me. Turns out there's a good reason they don't upset my stomach!
I know deep down inside that my cup runneth over. However, I’m feeling a bit weary this week, and I am having difficulty feeling gratitude.
However, despite this, I am truly thankful for all the love in my life - my supportive husband, my beautiful children, my sister, my friends, my calico kitty and my rescue pup. Each of them make every day a little sweeter and my life a little better. I am blessed.
Thankful for:
1. The two young guys who stopped their car and helped me when I somehow managed to tip over my wheelchair. The chair landed sort of on top of me and since it weighs 420 pounds I was the human version of a turtle on its back. I was lying there thinking that my husband was going to kill me for not having my cell phone with me so I could call him since he was at the back of the house and would not hear me call, when the guys drove by, literally screeched to a halt, jumped out and righted the machine and then me. Then they hopped back in their car and left--no name, no small talk, just mission accomplished and we are off. My angels for the day.
2. WE HAVE NIGHT AGAIN!! The sun is setting at 10:30 and up at 5, so it is a short night but I am thrilled to have darkness again.
3. the garden that keeps on giving. We have not had to buy more than milk or my Friday Filet 'o Fish in weeks. Current me thanks past me for the work I put in months ago.
4. My dog saw a pack of dogs run by and he started to join them but when I called he came right back. This sounds like a small thing, but having a dog who actually listens is amazing. My Irish wolfhounds were not the most obedient despite training but this pound hound listens so well that I cannot figure out why two different homes returned him and why one of them felt compelled to beat him. He is such a good boy. I read this cartoon where a dog comes to St. Peter to get admitted to heaven and when asked what his name is replies, "Good boy!" We say that so often to this guy that I am convinced he thinks that it is his name.
5. Library, as usual.
@Lindsey, there are people who think the only way to train a dog is to hit them or be rough with them. I saw a man one day walking his dog who forced the poor pup to sit by putting his foot on its back and shoving its bottom to the the ground. I had to clench the steering wheel not to leap out of the car and take him on! Your poor pound hound probably wound up with one of those horrible people. My youngest snuggle pup did, and it's taken years to get her over the trauma of being beaten and kicked as a puppy.
@Lindsey, wow, that was quite a story about your wheelchair tipover. Thank goodness your angels happened to be passing by.
And I agree with you and Ruby that animals go to heaven. I'd better not say what I think about what happens in the afterlife to humans who abuse animals.
@Lindsey, so cool to hear @ #1; that's awesome!
It's also great that your dog listens - our old dog is so sweet, but if the right temptation runs by, she gets selective hearing and my calling her doesn't always stop her - so that's a definite blessing.
@Lindsey,
Glad you were sent help when you needed it most. Angels are everywhere.
On a complete different note, dogs are often much more intelligent than the people that own them. My rescue pup can be a handful, but she loves to be told she is a good girl.
1. For the cooler weather as well. Been having hot flashes and they are no fun when you are waiting for the bus in 90 plus degree weather. It makes me one cranky commuter!
2. My brother who helped my hubby set up his new Cintiq monitor this weekend. They worked well together and it was nice to have him visit.
3. For the plants in my office that give me something green and pleasant to look at.
4. A whole rotisserie chicken at the grocery store for $4.99. Bought 2, froze 1 for later.
5. The smell of lavender. So relaxing...
I am thankful that a spate of depression is lifting, that all in my household remain well and employed (although we're all being somewhat drastically overworked lately), that it's been a not-too-hot summer for the deep South, that we have lovely new young neighbors, and that we are continuing on schedule toward paying the house off at the end of the year, thanks to frugalling like crazy.
thankful for being able to spend time with my family back home!!! I just returned from a 3 week trip, visiting mostly immediate family. I especially loved that I was able to get one-on-one time with each of my sisters, it happens so rarely. I'm paying for it now, having to quarantine in a TINY hotel room (not much bigger than the double bed I'm sleeping on), but it's worth it! I hadn't seem them in over 2.5 years.
thankful for being able to afford the trip financially. With the added cost of quarantine , it wasn't cheap, and I just quit my job recently to start my own business.
thankful for a partner who does the heavy financial lifting while I'm starting my business. Otherwise, the trip would have been out of the question and I would be a lot more stressed day-to-day!
thankful for modern techology! I only have to quarantine a week, and I'm well equipped with Netflix, my kindle, spotify and so on. I imagine it would be much less comfortable without these entertainment options.
thankful for learning new things! the learning curve with the new business is steep and that's a good thing. Growing up I used to think work was all about stability and a steady paycheque, and that I wouldn't mind doing monotonous work as long as it paid well. I couldn't have been more wrong - I was bored out of my mind at my last job and felt strangely guilty for not doing more. I feel much better now I have a new challenge.
I am thankful for ...
- My hardworking and loving husband.
I'm grateful I can be a stay at home mom since his job supports us.
- Our 3 beautiful girls.
- All our health and our immediate family's health.
- Cooler weather which makes it more enjoyable for walks and bike rides with family.
- Warmer weather to enjoy time spent at the lake and river.
I am thankful that our current lockdown seems to be working. This delta strain is frighteningly easy to catch. It has ripped through some schools in Queensland.
Secondly I am very thankful that I am fully vaccinated now.
Third. My next granddaughter should be here very soon. Her mother is over being pregnant but at least it is our winter and the weather is mild.
Four. I was able to fix my sewing machine problems by myself. I feel my hands and fingers are too fat and large and really struggle to put in a new needle let alone find and fix a problem.
Five. Modern conveniences such as the internet and streaming services and good books and Kindles to fill in the long hours being stuck at home. I am desperate to go out and do something just for me but that won't happen. Being a carer is taking a toll but at least there are somethings to do. My son kindly bought me a Disney subscription.
I'm thankful that we paid off our mortgage this week! It's an incredible feeling.
Also thankful that our office pushed back the return to office date, given the rise in COVID cases. (It's still optional for people to go in, should they choose & want to jump through the hoops.)
And, our kids are back, after spending time with my parents this summer. It's a bit crazy again, but I missed them so much!
@Hawaii Planner, hooray for paying off your mortgage! You are the latest of several readers here to accomplish that wonderful goal. Congratulations!
@Ruby, Thank you!! We're very excited 🙂
Like other commenters, I'm grateful for sleep. Our new pup is now letting me sleep until 6:00 a.m. rather than 5:00 a.m. Every hour (or minute) helps!
I’m thankful for the nice weather. We’ve had a stretch of really enjoyable days and in Wisconsin that is something you never want to take for granted.
For YouTube and the content you can find on it. I’ve been listening to some really helpful videos about parenting and I’m grateful to have free quality parenting advice. It is a hard job but having free help makes it a little bit easier.
For our cars. They still work (I hate to even type this and jinx myself) but they are very old and every year we don’t have to replace them saves us so much money.
I’m thankful for a new dishwasher. Ours broke and we had to buy a new one, but while it was on it’s way I had to hand wash all our dishes. Whew I am so grateful I don’t have to do that any more.
I’m thankful for my husband working hard so I can be home with our boys most of the time. I know sometimes he probably wishes he had nicer electronics or cars that we could afford if I worked full time, but he doesn’t complain and is willing to make do for our family.
Grateful for...
* To be able to get extra shifts on top of my part-time position, when needed
* To see my long-time friend tonight, after about 3 months
* AC!!!!
* My daughters having friends
* Having friends!
Oh boy, so much to be thankful for right now.
My Aunt is turning 91. Covid cancelled the planned family reunion to celebrate her 90th.
Without much of a plan, we decided to be there to surprise her.
We packed the car, including snacks and headed 400 miles south.
1. Night #1. Stayed at a Holiday Inn at the midway point for 10k points + $37 cash.
2. On the drive down, I was trying to find a Holiday Inn property in a convenient location that had availability for the next two nights. (We have 3 free nights and tons of points with IHG.) Nothing was working. Finally, I remembered I had a few Marriott points left over from my career days. I called and discovered I had enough points to pay for TWO nights in a posh hotel in a great location. Manna from heaven!
3. The website said parking at this hotel was $27/day, so I was resigned to it, because, otherwise free room. Surprised to learn at check-in that there would be no parking fee!
4. My deal-finding buddy knew I was looking for 91 of Something for my Aunt's last-minute birthday gift. She found luxury chocolate bars 2/$1 at Grocery Outlet and grabbed them all for me. Hooray for frugal friends! My aunt will share her 92 (one to grow on) Lindt chocolate bars with her many friends and donate the rest to the food bank, where she still volunteers every week.
5. Her daughter (my cousin) is disabled. We are providing her transportation. We also had her make a list of everything that needs to be repaired around the house. DH packed up his tools and is going to fix everything on the list while we're here. ♡♡♡♡♡
(Sidebar: Besides being able to fix anything, DH's adventure gene is bigger than mine. On a recent camping trip, he suggested we go Ziplining! It was so much fun, I can't even remember how expensive it was, lol.)
I am so, so glad we decided to take this trip on a wing and a prayer. Thank goodness our lifetimes of frugal decision making allow us to do things like this trip without spending a fortune. Thanks to DH's adventure gene, he was willing to go along with the plan, even though when there wasn't much of one.
Oh, and when we had an hour to kill yesterday, my cousin suggested we pop in to the Cerritos, CA, Library. Absolutely amazing, including a 15,000 gal. saltwater aquarium. If you're a library fan, Google it. If you're ever in striking distance, go there! An hour was not enough. We will go back. Beats the pants off the Mouse House!
Oh, I really want to try ziplining sometime!
And what a wonderful collection of trip-related things you have here.
I’m thankful that after a fall at work where I broke my left arm I have the amazing NHS who have looked after me really well. That my family have rallied round and helped. That my friends have been messaging and visiting and my boss has been so understanding.
It’s a relatively simple radial head fracture not needing a cast but the bruising was spectacular!!
I was just thinking about the "healthy bodies" thing - we went to visit my parents last week, and I did two 20+ mile bike rides with my dad.
He's almost 68, a type 2 diabetic (diagnosed at 50), had a heart attack that required open-heart triple-bypass surgery at 55, and has had ongoing heart issues since (lately, atrial fibrillation, for which he has an implanted loop recorder to monitor and he's had ablation surgery).
I'm so, SO grateful that not only has he put in the hard work to keep his body in pretty damn good shape for his age and health issues, but that he's even been ABLE to put in the work (already had a lot of the equipment to continue riding at home until he was deemed safe enough to ride outside again, very supportive nurse spouse (my mom) who advocated hard for him with his various doctors when he wasn't able to and just generally supports the time he devotes to his health, etc.)
Being able to do these rides with him is such a gift. We've been riding together since he first started taking me out on "serious" rides when I was in middle school, and now my son is in middle school and coming with us on some of the (shorter) "serious" rides - we did a 15-mile ride with him on this trip!
I am so glad that your dad is doing his best to keep his body as healthy as possible, and yes, what a blessing to be able to ride with him. Yay!