Thankful Thursday | Oh, it's so wet here
This week, I am thankful:
that my house never floods
We had a torrential downpour for a while yesterday (summer thunderstorm) and I was reminded again how much I appreciate that the basement here never, ever floods.
And given that my house is placed where the bottom of two hills converge, I have concluded that the drainage systems here are impressive.
that my mom showed me how to thread elastic through with a safety pin
My mom taught me how to do basic sewing when I was a kid, which is why I have the necessary skills to do mending. One of the first projects we did was making a pair of elastic waist shorts, and we threaded the elastic through the waistband using a safety pin so that there's something solid to push.
(You hook the safety pin through one end of the elastic, then push the closed safety pin into the waistband and use it to lead the elastic through.)
I washed this white shirt the other day that has drawstrings at the bottom, and I forgot to tie them beforehand.
So of course, they both came out in the wash, but with a safety pin, I had them threaded through in no time.
that the coneflowers are back
I fully acknowledge that this may be weird but...I love the way the center of these flowers feel. It's almost like touching a hairbrush with soft plastic bristles.
for the beauty of water droplets
We've had a lot of rain here lately, which is good for the drought we've been in, but also good for people who enjoy rain droplets on leaves (me! It's me!)
Unfortunately, the air is so humid it could practically choke you. But we will not discuss that further because this is not Complaining Thursday. 😉
for a fat cat sighting
When Zoe and I dropped her car off at the mechanic (she needed a new A/C blower motor!), we spied a fat cat with no tail.
We tried to say hi to him, but he was too shy for us to get very close. However, he is obviously not having any problems getting fed. 😉
that my co-workers and I don't mind being practiced on for blood draws
I was training a new patient care tech last week, and two other coworkers and I let her practice doing blood draws on us.
This kind of practice is invaluable when it comes to confidence-building because it's so nice to practice on people who are healthy!
(Many hospital patients are difficult to do blood draws on because they are dehydrated, sick, have been stuck a million times, or have IVs everywhere, which limits the veins we can choose from.)
I feel thankful that offering myself up for practice is such a non-issue for me; I am not faintly scared of needles!
that I had patients who were easy blood draws
I had experienced a string of patients who were really hard to draw blood from, and it was draining my confidence a bit. But last week I had some patients with easier veins, and I was so grateful.
I needed the confidence boost!
Relatedly, I am so envious of my tech co-workers who were phlebotomists before becoming patient care techs. What a huge advantage they have.
for watermelon season
I love, love, love having so much tasty and affordable watermelon available in the summer.
I am very thankful that my best friends who live in Fairmont, WV are safe from the flooding and in a position where they can help others.
I am thankful for my dog Molly. She had a grooming appointment on Tuesday and the groomers love her, too. I had worked the night before and was a little dauncy as the morning progressed. When I picked Molly up from the groomer, we were discussing her decline. Less ability to see and hear and the facing of the inevitable. it was such a close conversation, that when I left, I automatically said to the groomer, "I love you..." and then realized that was awkward. But she just grinned and repeated it back.
Thankful for Georgia peaches and apricots. The season is short on apricots so it is nice to have them.
Thankful that it is National Pollinator week and that there is some attention on them and the important role they play in our lives. In tandem w that, I am thankful for the beautiful flowers in my yard. The Asiatic lilies are about done, but the Lollipops put on an outstanding show!
@Chrissy, oh Fairmont got hit pretty hard on Sunday night; as did up in the panhandle on Saturday. I live about 20 min from Fairmont. Luckily the town and surrounding areas are helping the people out.
@Chrissy, I am thankful your aging dog has groomers who love her! It is so important that an ill or aged dog feel tenderly taken care of and enjoys the process without added stress.
@Chrissy,
Love is a good thing. Sometimes we find it in unusual places and in unexpected times.
@Chrissy, I had never heard the word "dauncy" before. I had to look it up!
@Sarah C., Lucille Ball uses that word in I Love Lucy when she's telling Ethel that she's not feeling well (she's pregnant with Little Ricky but doesn't know it yet).
Umm, I've watched every episode of that show an embarrassing number of times.
@Sarah C., Me too,
@Bee, well said.
@Chrissy, thank you for sharing that sweet story about your groomer. All the best to you and your Molly.
@BJS, It wasn't summer when I was a kid without watching I Love Lucy. Usually watched with a neighborhood friend.
@Bee, Thank you for your perfectly beautiful reply. It touched my heart, and evidently my eyes because they are tearing up a bit.
@Sarah C., ha ha, me too!
@BJS,
Om gosh, I'm like that with The Waltons! When I retired I discovered it was on during the day. I think it was on when I was a kid and I never watched it. So now I think I've watched every episode. There are very few I haven't seen and I've seen lots of them more than once.
This week is difficult because of some medical issues my father is having, so I need to write out a quick thankful list. This week I am thankful:
*for a tasty watermelon; I feel like I'm copying Kristen, but we had a big, good one.
*for the coffee I'm in the process of making.
*that my son decided that yesterday would be a good day to donate platelets for the first time. But then I looked at tips for donating and realized he had no clue how much time was involved. And since he pulled a night shift and hadn't had the best sleep, he decided to donate blood instead. I'm proud of him for his willingness to give.
*for silly and playful kittens.
*that the cicadas have quieted.
*for the bird app on my husband's cell phone. When I woke this morning, I heard a new bird song. I ran for the phone but didn't hear the song again. I did, however, hear an Eastern Screech Owl, which I wouldn't not have known without the app.
*for my husband. He is a good one. A very good one. Really, I am so thankful for him. Marrying him was the very best decision of my life.
@Jody S., I am sorry about your father.
@Jody S., I hope your dad's medical issues are resolved soon and satisfactorily.
@kristin @ going country, hoping your dad's health improves.
@Jody S., As a blood and platelet donor, give your son a high five from me. The nice thing is he doesn't have to wait two months to give platelets. He can do that sooner than giving whole blood again.
Haha, we can ALL be grateful for watermelon right about now.
I hope your father's issues are resolved soon. <3
@Jody S.,
Thank you, thank you, thank you to your son for giving the gift of blood! Blood donors are my heroes (as someone who is too frequently on the receiving end.) I always say a prayer for the donor whenever I get any blood products. And thank you for raising such a generous young man (I hope he got a good day's sleep.)
@kristin @ going country, Thank you. We'll see. It's back-related...so who knows?
@Kristen, All this tuck about watermelon is making me want to watch Dirty Dancing ('I carried a watermelon!')
@Jody S.,
Your son is my hero! It gladdens my heart to know that young people are donating blood.
Thankful Thursday
As always, I'm thankful for Kristen and this community. I love reading the comments, and sage advice.
We are about 85% finished the kitchen renovation .we just need to have the range hood installed, and then I can have the propane hooked up (it's a propane top/electric oven)
Friends that will help out. One came and swamped the living room out.
I can cope with my small messy spots, but I struggle with absolute chaos in our home.
I bought hanging baskets filled with petunias. 3 weeks in, and they're looking better every day. I'm watering and deadheading twice a day.
My partner, he is the best for me. He helps keep me focused. We've designed the kitchen together. He chose the color of the cabinets and the range hood.
I bet you will be SO glad to have your kitchen back in order.
@Kristen, 1000%.... It's getting better every day!
I think maybe the fat cat is a she who is pregnant!
And so many things to be grateful for this week - work that is challenging me, colleagues I respect, good meals with extended family, my children growing up, and good books to read.
Ohh, maybe you are right!
I too am thankful for watermelon. I cut a big one yesterday and it is delicious.
I am thankful for portable ACs while our central air is out. The problem has been diagnosed but the replacement part seems to be eluding the home services company. DH has the day off and will get on their case today as I have not had success in that endeavor. A friend recommended an HVAC company to try if we decide we're done with Petro.
I am thankful that we had those cool wet days, we needed the precipitation and the house was naturally cool.
I'm thankful we had a great vacation last week. We were on Long Island sound, in CT, and it was beautiful. We enjoyed lots of time with extended family that live in the area.
@K D,
I've only experienced LI Sound on the Long Island side, lol, but it is beautiful! Glad you had a nice vacay!
I am not thankful for watermelon - YET! I am, however, looking forward to buying one on my shopping trip after I come home from my weekend trip.
I am thankful that I am finding so many recipes for higher protein food that uses food we normally buy. I don't like to buy a food product for 1 recipe and then never use it again. And like Kristen, I am trying to eat more protein to build muscle (and, in my case, help with weight loss).
Thankful for the food on my table. With the upcoming cuts, I'm sure food banks will be asking for more donations. I will be sure to purchase a few extra cans each shopping trip to donate.
Thankful that I am still working. Had a meeting with my boss and nothing negative is going on, so I am glad I am just kind of passing time! I, unfortunately, had to extend my stay before retirement by a month, but 10 months is OK. I can do it! I feel that way now, but I'm sure there will be months that I will say, no way. LOL
I am thankful that a small leaf fell off my white Christmas cactus and I was able to root it. I will now be bringing it to my sister's as a thank you gift for housing us over the weekend. She doesn't have a white one, so this will be nice.
@Maureen, I love that you are thinking of others in hard times, and putting aside extra food to donate. Congrats on your good job review. My husband had his review this week, which went also well. Food and income are definitely big items to be thankful for!
@Maureen, I split my food pantry donation amount between two pantries. Though I should send a donation specifically for the pet food pantry that works in conjunction with one pantry. When inflation kicked in, I upped my payroll donations to all organizations I support via United Way. Good thing United Way now allows designated donations - after their executive mismanagement and kow-towing to Catholic "charities", I stopped donating for a long time.
Thankfuls:
--That my sister lives within driving distance of us now, so we can go visit her in Colorado. I'm taking all four of my kids this weekend to stay with her.
--That all four of my kids are older and so much easier to travel with. My husband is staying home to take care of the animals, and I wouldn't have done an 8-hour solo trip like this with little kids.
--For the former teacher at school who reached out to me to ask if my kids would like to go up with him in his small plane. My eldest son has wanted to get his pilot's license for years, and this teacher remembered that. He also let my son take the controls for part of their short flight yesterday. We're only about a year from that son being old enough to get his license, and this rekindled his excitement about it.
--That that same son is such a competent driver. He's doing his supervised hours now to get his driver's license, which means driving with us. He's actually been driving ranch trucks and so on since he was about 13, so he's already experienced operating a vehicle, it's just rules of the road and things like city driving he needs to practice. He's a good driver, though, with good reactions and situational awareness. I appreciate that for the first kid I've had this experience with. I think some of the others will be a little more alarming to drive with. 🙂
--For the asiatic lilies blooming now, and roses from the bush I got for Mother's Day. I'm getting multiples of each flower for my table right now, and they're such a vibrant pink.
--For the "undo" command on the keyboard that just helped me retrieve the entire above comment that I accidentally deleted. 🙂 (Ctrl+Z, if you're wondering.)
I use ctrl+z ALL THE TIME!
@kristin @ going country, your upcoming road trip will be a great opportunity for your almost-driving-son to get some practice. It won’t be relaxing for you, but it might be a little easier than the entire 8-hour run all on you.
@kristin @ going country, It sounds like your eldest and my third son would get along very well. He was able to go up on a flight with a member of our congregation last summer and fly over our house. He recently applied to get a scholarship for flight training to get his pilot's license, but he came in 2nd place. (Do I need to mention that we can't afford it on our own?) Same son is heading into his senior year and trying to figure out what's next; aviation careers seem to be what he is interested in.
@Jody S., For what it's worth, my dad got his flight training in the Air Force. My brother did his privately. Both were/are Southwest Airlines pilots. The Air Force was the way better option, although that was like forty years ago, so I don't know what it's like now.
@Central Calif. Artist Jana, Oh yes, he will be doing quite a bit of driving. Thankfully, we don't have to go near Denver. He's not ready for that. 🙂
@kristin @ going country, Air Force likely not worth the risk these days.
I'm one of those hard to draw patients because my blood does not want to go. I'm fully aware & always tell medical person when says need to draw blood.
Thankful this week for my dad's Positive outlook. His last radiation was a week ago & he forgets that his body is still not normal healthy yet & thinks he can automatically go back to activities he once did before treatment began many months ago. His body reminds him otherwise.
Thankful for overflowing rain barrels. Rain most days the last week, even last night & still this morning. The grass is very green, the leaves (trees & plants) are very green (except those the woodchucks has not eaten ;( ) and my gardens are green. I'm going to need that water for the 100+* anticipated starting Sunday & next week for plants.
Thankful got teen college taken care of. Teen has roadmap of what needs to be done & has a plan. I was actually kind of surprised that Academic advisors thought teen was over extending with how many credits & modules taking. Honestly it's actually a little less than this last year/Senior year at high school.
Thankful college Financial Aid walked us through process with new Free College tuition. I'm thankful for this mew program? but state of Michigan is very misleading on this & is actually putting many students in financial debt instead.
Thankful that teen has almost finished outside project. And that I accurately got correct amount of supplies needed. Just need to decide what to use for walkway.
Thankful my Aunt has found an outlet to still be able to do gardening outside. Since no house/no yard she kind of misses going outside to do gardening work. Her (former) groomer (since dog died) has facility with landscaping that needs attended to occasionally & my Aunt has been helping with this. Though she's glad to not have to worry about yard clean up after storms, especially with hurricane season just starting.
Thankful for well stocked freezer & pantry. With prices increasing most every where I'm glad to have what I need (at sale price).
Thankful for our house in (mostly) safe area.
Thankful (always) for Kristen & her blog where we can learn & share with each other. 🙂
Have a great weekend!
Just reading about needle sticks makes me queasy! I'm happy to hear you and your co-workers are getting lots of practice. My personal experience (with myself and multiple family members at multiple facilities) has been very disappointing in recent years as many medical staff are just not proficient at needle sticks. I am always exceedingly grateful when we have a good experience and highly praise the individual for their expertise.
@Bobi, Same here! I could never be a nurse.
I don't know how it is everywhere, but I heard my hospital floor used to have dedicated phlebotomists. But now all the blood draws are up to the techs and nurses, unless we have a really hard stick and we have to call the hospital IV team.
I hope that with more practice, I will be a person who is proficient at needle sticks. I want to be a rock star at it!
Thankful for the pleasant lady at our local appliance/jewelry/etc. store, who put a new battery into the Timex Ironman Triathlon watch I found in the street last July. And thankful for the watch itself. (If you're old enough to remember the John Cameron Swayze ads for Timex--"Takes a licking and keeps on ticking"--you are, as I am, older than dirt.)
Also thankful for the pleasant young man at LensCrafters yesterday, who adjusted my perpetually out-of-kilter spectacles and made me laugh into the bargain.
And thankful once more for NDN's home care aide, who continues to accomplish great things with NDN. If it were possible to clone the aide, I would!
@A. Marie, Consider me "older than dirt" LOL....and I also have a Timex!
@A. Marie, There is a gentleman in our church who always helped me with my little ones. When they started getting fussy (usually during my husband's sermon), he would take off his Timex and give it to the baby. His watches went straight to their mouths and literally "took a licking".
@A. Marie,
Also older than dirt!
@A. Marie, count me in as older than dirt.
@A. Marie, I am NOT older than dirt - I am younger than you yet know about John Cameron Swayze.
First-time poster, long-time lurker here, and it will do me good this morning to write out what I'm thankful for! It lifted my heart to read your lists.
1. That I did well on my first two grad school assignments. I've been out of school for a while and was pretty nervous!
2. That my daughters and I have had fun this summer doing puzzles and building models together. Not things we usually do, but it's so hot outside, and this is a nice chill way to pass the time (see what I did there? ;).
3. For morning walks in what is ALMOST cool weather, before the day heats up too much.
4. That an unexpected opening in my schedule means that we might be able to take a family vacation next month! If we can't get away, we can stay local, but at least we can all be off work/school together before we start up again in August.
5. That the minor surgery I had last week had no complications. It has been annoying, but it could have been so much worse.
I hope you all have a wonderful Thursday!
@Nicki, welcome! 🙂
I also just started grad school this summer- many, many years after my undergraduate degree. I was- and still am- feeling nervous about the coming classes, but so far this first class is going great. Good luck to you!!
Yay! I'm so glad you joined us!!
I took an ALMOST cool walk this morning too. 😉
@Nicki, that's a great first list. My morning walk with our dog started out cool and ended with both of us panting in the heat. I spent extra time in our basement cooling off.
@Nicki,
Welcome new poster! You'll learn a lot here and have fun!
I'm thankful it's Thursday and this week is almost over.
DH was listening to a nutritionist on a podcast last week who was discussing the importance of lowering cortisol levels. He went on to indicate that one of the most effective methods for doing this is to supplement your diet with a daily dose of Vitamin G. Vitamin G is not available in pill or powder form. It is gratitude. So here is my list today on this warm June day.
• I am very happy that my husband is taking an interest in his health. I think he finally realized that he is getting older, and an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
• Like you, Kristin, I am happy to have watermelon in my refrigerator today. I love the variety of wonderful fruits and vegetables available in the marketplace this time of year.
• I am thankful that we've had beautiful evenings over the last week. Summer can be hard in Florida, but we've had a nice, coolish breeze off the ocean making it pleasant to be outside.
• Once again, I have one big thankful. My son's oldest and best friend was married last August, but in September they found out that his new bride had Stage 4 ovarian cancer. Today after a very aggressive treatment, her blood tests and scans show that she is cancer-free. My heart is full, because this man is like another son to me. I want nothing more than for him - and his new bride - to be happy.
Wishing you all peace, good health, and prosperity.
@Bee, I'm so glad about your friend's bride's good report. My own friend who was diagnosed with Stage 4 ovarian last year (Bailey dog's mom) is in rather tenuous remission; she has to get "maintenance" infusions and is still being treated for side effects, but she's hanging in there. All the best to both of them.
@Bee, Vitamin G!! Thanks for this. 😎
@Bee,
So happy to hear of your bonus son's wife's GREAT news. One of my besties has been going through treatment for stage 4 ovarian cancer (surgery, aggressive chemo), and her news has been less positive. Currently starting immunotherapy for cancer cells found in her lymph nodes. Praying she gets an all-clear in the near future.
@Liz B., A.Marie,
I will keep your friends in my thoughts -- sending lots of positive energy into the universe. Advances are made daily in the treatment of cancer.
@Central Calif. Artist Jana,
I thought it was great. Of course, the moment he mentioned it, I picked up my phone and was searching for this supplement. It was a few minutes before the lecturer told us that it could not be bought.
@Bee, I'm filled with Vitamin G for the cancer-free news!
Oh, I am so happy to hear about the cancer-free news!
@Bee,
Thank you so much! My friend has a lot of people sending prayers and healing vibes, but more are ALWAYS welcome and needed.
I'm a patient who blood is hard to draw from my arm, and if they wiggle the needle trying to find the vein, I'll pass out. I always ask for the draw to be taken from my hand because it is much easier for everyone involved.
Thankfuls:
- Grandbaby's surgery to put tubes in his ears went well and he bounced back from surgery quickly.
- My daylilies and coneflowers are blooming and beautiful right now.
- Our HVAC wasn't cooling properly, and it only cost $50 to solve the problem.
- For the very tasty watermelon we got at the farmer's market. I love watermelon but I'm allergic to ragweed and experience similar symptoms when I eat too much watermelon.
- Insurance is covering the cost of the roof replacement since ours had hail and wind damage from the tornado that hit our neighborhood, minus our deductible of course. We signed the contract with the roofer and the work should be done in the next 6 weeks or so.
I love people who know where their good veins are!
@Kristen,
In my ER days - a long time ago - the IV drug users were awesome at accessing their veins. (Sometimes even between their toes!) People can be creative.
Just be patient and practice.
Yes, they are often the best at knowing their own veins!
On my floor, we are not allowed to draw blood anywhere other than arms without an order. But I know down in the emergency department, it's a whole different ballgame. 😉
@Beverly,
I used to organize the Red Cross blood drives at my office. The Red Cross people always told me to advise everyone who was giving blood to drink plenty of water a few days before so they were well hydrated. They said that made all the difference in their veins and it was easier to get a good stick.
It used to be easy to get my blood drawn, then almost overnight, it became difficult. I often have to have blood drawn from my hand, and one time, ankle. I always warn them ahead of time. Letting someone practice on you is really kind to the person practicing and their future patients as well.
I have a couple of situations which don't make me feel thankful this week (nothing bad for me, but for someone else), but I can always find things for which to be thankful, too.
1. I'm thankful to see that the state legislature kept right at $15 million in the budget for my rural, hurricane-battered county. We need it.
2. I'm thankful for coneflowers, too, although mine have been blooming a while. They are in their prime bloom time now and so pretty. I'm also thankful to see my newest native honeysuckle kick it into a higher gear with the rains following a drought, putting out new sprouts and new blooms. It just kind of sat for the first year or two and this spring was the first year it bloomed well.
3. I'm thankful my three-legged dog has slowed down on digging holes in the back yard. I really hope he's outgrowing that habit, fingers crossed. One has to wonder how he manages to dig while standing on one back leg, but trust me, he can do it quite well.
4. I'm thankful every day for the big, juicy blackberries I'm getting off of my three domestic berry plants. I'll be sad when the berry season ends.
5. I'm thankful every time I hear my windchime, with its calm, lower tones. It is perhaps the most appreciated present DH gave me. I had said I wanted one, but the good ones are expensive, so I was really surprised to open this one up on Christmas day a few years back.
As you can see, I would be a very easy blood draw from the hand! 😉
@JD,
Your wind chimes sound lovely, and what a special gift from your DH. My DH and I cannot agree on wind chimes - he likes the clunk-clunk of bamboo chimes, and I like more "musical" wind chimes. Therefore, we dont have any wind chimes. :-/ Not the end of the world, obviously.
I'm one of those patients who is a hard blood draw. I start every blood draw by apologizing for my tiny veins.
This week I'm especially thankful to be home from our vacation. It's fun to go away, but always nice to come home.
That my husband and I work together well. We've been doing yard work for the last couple of days and the yard is looking nice again.
For indoor plumbing.Our RV has a shower, but we ration the water, and much of our trip was spent using pit toilets (they were all clean, but still...)
That past me made up a bunch of freezer meals so present me can take it easy.
That my elderly dad is in such great shape. He can do everything, except drive at night on bad weather - which he can do if it's short distances.
To be visiting Chicago, where I used to live. I love this town and I can pull together a trip here in literally no time and without consulting a guide.
That an exercise walk (fast walk) feels so good. Sometimes it turns a negative mood around, too.
For friends across the political and religious spectrum. I talked w one such during yesterday's walk. We don't have to agree, we know we have each others' backs.
For random dogs. Most of them are happy to give me some puppy time and accept scritches.
Agreed on how a walk can change a mood!
@WilliamB, so true about a walk. And impressed that you have been able to retain friendships despite those differences; that is a rare display of maturity in today’s Big King Me-Me world.
That is very kind of you to offer yourself as practice for blood draws. I gave blood on Tuesday and one of the Red Cross people made a pin cushion out of me. They eventually had to get a different guy and try my other arm. I don't mind overall because I was able to donate, but holy ouch that hurt!
Oh yes, the needles they use for blood donation are so big!
On my floor we use skinny little butterfly needles for our blood draws, so those are definitely less painful.
@Mary,
Thank you for sticking it out (no pun intended) and giving blood anyway. My father's life was extended numerous times thanks to blood donations. Due to his terminal illness, he would have died years earlier except that there are people in this world who are nice enough to give blood. One the saddest things about having cancer surgery a few years ago is that I can't give blood now. I was a multi-gallon donor, and it made me happy to "pay it forward," and help other patients. One thing I learned: if I thought about people who'd receive the blood, it helped. (I wondered if they'd be a baby, a new mother, a little child, a cancer patient, a heart patient, a car wreck victim or an elderly person.) Focusing on them minimized any unpleasantries; as a result, it didn't hurt at all.
@Fru-gal Lisa,
I used to give blood all the time -- was a 10 gallon girl. But then I got breast cancer 12 years ago. After a lumpectomy, I had 6 rounds of chemo, then 35 zaps of radiation. I was just afraid to give blood after that even tho the blood donation people said I'd be fine. I worried what if some cancer cells escaped and someone got cancer from my blood. Maybe that's crazy, but that idea has kind of haunted me ever since. And I had some thing, or didn't have something, in my blood that made it good for sick babies, so I felt bad when I stopped giving.
@Kristen, the butterfly needles are just about the only needled that work on me & apparently are not used often or not available??
@Fru-gal Lisa, I was receiver of blood transfusions when I was teen in auto accident that literally saved my life back in mid/late 1980s. I started donating after that, partly because I wanted to pay it forward & help others.
Thankful that our septic issue isn't as bad as we thought it might be. We have to replace the tank, but at least we don't have to redo the whole system. Thankful for funny cats, for seeing my in-laws this weekend, for rain, for nice temperatures earlier this week which allowed for pleasant hiking.
WATERMELON
1.Today is Juneteenth (JUNE nineTEENTH), commemorating the day in 1865 that slaves in Texas were told they were freed! Although it's always been a holiday for the black folk here in the Lone Star State (that's Texas, for you folks overseas), in recent decades everyone knows about it. I'm Caucasian, but today I will say I am so thankful that the bad old days of segregation are over; my life would be much, much poorer if my black (and Hispanic/native American, and Asian, and...) friends were not a part of my world.
2. Our recent rains have caused the crape myrtle bushes along my back fence to burst into full bloom with their bright fuchsia plumage. I believe we have a cardinal nest in one of the bushes, or else Mama and Papa Red Bird just frequent the area a lot.
3. Tuesday, I pled my case before the property tax arbitration panel and got them to lower the valuation assigned to my home by more than one-third. That's in the six-figure range, so it's a LOT of money.
4. For Esme, the property tax office clerk, who quickly and efficiently scanned my paper photos into a computer file so they could be shown on screen. She finished just as they were calling my number!
5. For the public library and Susan the reference librarian, who earlier had taken my cell phone photos and sent them to the copier where I could make them into paper photos. (I had no earthly idea how to do this.) And color copies are only 50 cents each. (I no longer have a computer printer at home, and since I'm not teaching, it's a want, not a need.) I spent $30 on all those copies, but I saved thousands on my tax bill.
6. For Shirley, who kindly agreed to work my assigned shift so I could be off Tuesday to ready my presentation and attend the tax hearing.
@Fru-gal Lisa,
Oh and I almost forgot the big one: that my dog Snuggles, who had gotten out the other night because the wind blew the gate open, came back home safe and sound. I was chasing him down the street at 11:45 p.m.
@Fru-gal Lisa, I’m thankful so many people are now recognizing the importance of Juneteenth for our country!
I agree. But also this morning I felt a sense of heaviness, thinking how terribly sad it is that we even needed to have a Juneteenth, that humans even needed to be freed from being owned as property.
I am so glad there was a Juneteenth! I just wish it had never been necessary in the first place.
@Fru-gal Lisa,
I agree with you about Juneteenth, but I want to remind everyone that slavery is not over, not by a long shot! It is still active in many countries, legal or not. Until we are all free everywhere, there is a lot of work yet to do.
@JD,
Yes, and sex trafficking and labor trafficking -- forms of modern-day slavery -- are big problems right here in the USA. And in other countries, as well.
@Fru-gal Lisa,
Good for you! I, too, once appealed our rental property's valuation a few years ago and won. But not as big a win as yours! I know property taxes in Texas are very high compared to here in Arkansas. I think Texas might be one of the states that doesn't have a state income tax right? But they get those taxes from you one way or another! Here in Arkansas, we have to pay an annual property tax on our vehicles, which is crazy. You pay for your car and then every year you have to pay something else for it. I've been campaigning to get that eliminated for the last several years. It's been adjusted but not totally eliminated yet. It might one day make it through the legislature!
@JD, including in the U.S., sadly.
@Joyce from Arkansas, In most jurisdictions, the car tax goes to road construction and maintenance. That used to be financed via gas taxes but cars are so fuel-efficient now that a property tax is used. We pay real estate taxes so I think of this as similar.
@WilliamB, I read something about the prison labour work being a form of slavery in certain states, although I don't know enough about it. What I did read seemed abhorrent.
So many thankfuls, most based on this week’s frugals:
Mom’s car
Safe drive home
My wonderful sister and hubby
My new computer battery and the super clean screen
Being able to paint for 9 hours yesterday without interruptions and completing FOUR new paintings (Gotta hustle after being gone for a fat week)
This week, I am thankful....
....that DH and I can afford what has been a spendy vacation week at the beach. We save all year long, and we both work hard to make it happen. We do not live anywhere close to the ocean, so this is extra special to all three of us (DH, DS, and moi).
.......that DS has become much more of an adventurous eater. He was super dooper picky when he was younger, and he now loves sushi (!!) and Mexican food. Every time we go out to eat, he chooses something new-to-him to try. So proud of him.
.....for a really good camera and telephoto lens. I, too, love water droplets on leaves and flowers!
.......for a good recovery from my knee replacement (surgery was about 18 months ago). Walking without constant pain is a luxury I dont take likely. Walking along the boardwalk to the beach is no problem!
.......for pet sitters who take care of our furballs while we're away. Being able to keep them at home and well cared for while we're away = priceless.
.....paid time off from work. My work place has become a dumpster fire, and time away was much needed.
.....for Kristen and the Commentariat. This community feels like chatting with old friends. I appreciate all of you!
Ohh, enjoy your vacation!!
Don't say your basement never floods. Say that it hasn't flooded yet, that you know of. Flooding basements are the worst!
I'm thankful that I have some time off in my future. I'm also thankful that while things have been crazy lately, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Hopefully that light isn't an oncoming freight train but ...
Well...I've been here for three years now, and we have had some wild torrential downpours, as well as days of steady rain, and no flooding has happened. So, I feel confident in my cheerful assertion. Ha.
@Kristen, I think it's PTSD from floods I've had to deal with in the past but I never fully trust the rain and basements.
That's understandable!
I was nervous for that first year I lived here, always thinking we might have a leak. But at this point I have relaxed about it, figuring if it was going to leak, it probably would have by now.
I'm guessing there were leaks sometime in this house's past, because there's a pretty great drainage system around back of the house that directs water down the hill, away from the house. Before that was installed, I bet there were floods!
@Battra92, I completely understand. The house I grew up in got water in the basement regularly....even after many "improvements." If I ever own a house, water is #1 on my list of things to look for--- none where it shouldn't be and tasty water to drink (I don't want any municipal water!).
1) A friend invited me to a birthday dinner last night, and I'm not one for late(r) evening social occasions with people I don't know super well. But, it was so fabulous & fun & she knows so many incredible women. It really filled my cup, and I had a great time. I'm thankful she invited me, and also that I went.
2) DH received his severance, finally, which is fabulous. I'll likely get my first paycheck in four weeks or so, and it's nice to have the severance tucked away as well.
3) That I've really made the most of my time off. I've consistently worked out 90% of the days or so, I've traveled, I've spent time with friends, I've spent so much wonderful time with my teens, before they are out of the house. I've been more patient & relaxed. Now, to channel some of that as I head back to work.
4) That my dad was able to resolve a tricky rental situation for my special needs aunt. It had been going on for months (closer to a year), and is particularly difficult because special needs aunt likes to be involved, but struggles with some of the details). Allowing her independence, while helping her was a difficult dance, and I know my dad is grateful to have it resolved.
5) That I get to see DS18 this weekend. He's been on a two week senior trip that is culminating at a grad party at my parents house this weekend. We are flying there, and then he will road trip back home with his friends. They've had a great time, and explored all over the Pacific Northwest.
Thankful that I have good veins for drawing blood! If that seems trivial, it isn't. I had an aneurysm coiled a few years ago, and I had to have blood drawn for a platelet check once a week. The lab tech and I were on a first name basis! If I were in a position to volunteer for practice, I'd be glad to help out.
It is wet here too! But I am thankful that we've been able to collect so much rainwater, as we head into a potential hot and dry spell next week.
I am thankful that DH came to the decision to have our 21 year old car hauled away. This was my mom taxi for many years, and then he took it over as his commuter car when we got a newer car, and then it started a slow decline. DH kept it chugging along through sheer hard work, but yesterday it started to stall and he barely got it home. This morning he called a company that hauled it away and gave us money for the catalytic converter. Thankful he was willing to part with it and that it was taken care of so quickly! And I'm thankful that we got so many good years out of it!
A house that doesn’t flood is most definitely a big reason to be grateful!
I’m thankful…
- My master garden course has started! It will help me with my goals of teaching others to grow their own food and growing more food to feed those who are without.
- It’s been raining frequently enough that I have rarely had to water my garden, but not so much that it’s flooding.
- My son passed his driver permit test! Next month, he starts the driving portion of driver’s ed and I am grateful to have that extra help!
- We’ve had mostly mild temperatures (yay!), but now summer has arrived. I’m ever grateful for my AC and also that I love swimming! My daughter and I will soon be enjoying water slides and the lazy river at the public pool. I’m glad I don’t believe 48 is too old for swimming and water slides.
- Our teddy bear of a dog continues to make us laugh! This week, we discovered he could carry seven socks in his mouth at once. He’s such a sweet funny boy.
It's ultra humid here too! The kitty is claiming that s/he is just big boned!
1. I'm thankful to Kristen for featuring me in meet a reader, and for all the thoughtful questions!
2. I'm thankful to my personal trainer at the gym. I have just finished working with her, have learned so much and have got so much stronger.
3. I'm thankful that I passed my Danish exams, got a certificate and that I got my deposit back from the language school!
4. I bought a fitness watch yesterday (a less fancy version of a Garmin) but it was missing a USB cable. I went back to the shop today and easily got an exchange (and I'm thankful that I kept the receipt!)
5. I am not thankful for hayfever, but I am thankful that I slept better last night!
Congrats on the Danish exams!!
@Kristen, Thank you!!!
My mom also taught my siblings and me how to thread elastic with a safety pin. Priority to my first wearable sewing project ( shorts), my sister and I made cloth tote bags with old shoe laces as the drawstrings that needed to be threaded through the casing with a safety pin. I’m thankful you wrote about your safety pin/elastic… it brought back happy memories for me.
Though the weather was so soupy-humid yesterday, I was still able to get a walk before the storms hit our area. I’m glad whenever I can get outdoor time and exercise at the same time. We do have a recumbent bike which I use on inclement weather days. And we also do our dancing 2-3 times each week but that’s also indoors. Still, I’m so thankful my husband and I have such good mobility at our ages.
So I’m sorry to say that I’m one of those difficult blood draws. I’ve mentioned this before and you have encouraged me,Kristen. I drink 70-80 ounces of water daily and I pump my arms whenever I know I’ll need blood drawn. But it’s always difficult and quite an anxious time for me ( and sometimes for the nurses).
I’m thankful for good neighbors, good family and good friends in our church family and in our dance circle.
I’m thankful for your photos,Kristen. You have quite the artist’s eye.
I am thankful for the wonderful friend watching my daughter while daycare is closed for Juneteenth.
I am thankful for cooler weather in the days ahead.
I am thankful my morning coffee.
I am thankful for toddler snuggles at 5:15 am.
I am thankful for my vacuum cleaner. It is getting quite the work out these days.
The last time I went for an A1c draw, the veins in my hand were flat so we failed to draw blood. Now, I know another medicine not to take before a blood draw: Maxide and Lomotil.
Today I am thinking about phlebotomists too. I am thankful . . .
-for the moment of humanity we enjoyed when I took our daughter for her blood draw. Our daughter has a range of disabilities that make blood draws difficult. We unfortunately have to take her regularly for blood samples and it requires a patient and skilled phlebotomist and my husband or I as support. Today the phlebotomist was not so great, but luckily I was able to talk our daughter through it. The sample room is kind of open to the waiting room. Usually when we've gone in, we were the only patients at the moment. This time there was a waiting room full of people. When we finished up and exited back into the waiting room I was met by a round of smiling faces and the comment that they were cheering me on. It is difficult to be the parent of a special needs child, but it warmed my heart that an entire waiting room of strangers was listening in and being supportive. It was a small thing but meant a lot to me.
-for access to lots of healthy food. All four kids are home for the summer. I don't mind keeping a steady stream of healthy dishes coming from the kitchen. At lunch and dinner I pile the table up with roasted chicken, macaroni and cheese, spaghetti, cut fruit, steamed broccoli and on and on. When I return back downstairs it has all been cleaned up! And only one of them is a teenager. I'm so thankful for the ability to feed them well.
-that my husband and I mostly work from home now. It makes sharing household and parenting tasks so much easier. And I think we both get more work done. Plus I just like having my best friend around.
-for the folks who have come into our lives this year and been extremely helpful. Just in the last few months we have brought on a tenant to lease our commercial space, hired a project manager for our design studio, and hired an advocate for our daughter's IEP. All three are smart and hard working women who are kicking a$$ and talking names. For a while there it felt like we spent more time firing folks who were underperforming than bringing in heavy hitters. It is an enormous relief to have folks on your team who are simply fantastic.
@Amanda in VA, the supportive waiting takes my heart today ❤️
As always your pictures are so beautiful. Sadly our coneflowers did not return, so we bought new ones! My husband loves them, the bees love them, we'll give it another try.
Thankfuls, work related:
That I have my job and like doing my job!
That I got to go to the office today for a day filled with meetings, and that I met with many colleagues, old and new
That we have more young colleagues now (the average age was getting rather high)
That we were treated to a nice BBQ
That I am travelling home now. The travel is as long as the workday itself and I brought a book to read on the train. But first I'll read other people's lists.
Today I am thankful for our youngest dog, who I sometimes refer to as Demon Puppy, for being an absolute trooper through a nasty bout of gastro-intestional illness that required three vet visits in four days. She was good as gold through being poked, prodded and x-rayed by a lot of people she did not know. Also thankful for our wonderful vet.
- for long time and very good friends
- who will drive hours to meet halfway to spend the night
- and bring birthday pastries from the bakery that made your wedding cake 20+ years ago
- for blue skies after weeks and weeks of rain
- for teenage sons who help clean up after things
- and hug their mom after she's been away
First of all with the humidity of the last couple of days I'm thankful for central air conditiong.
Thankful that I'm happy with the smaller things in life. I can't eat watermelon as it gives me terrible heartburn but a Coke slurpee is divine.
Thankful that dh loves working in the yard. It finally stopped raining so he's back outside again and happy.
I'm thankful for my husband and kids as they are really good people.
I’m thankful for ….
My oldest son being connected with a specialist doctor as he was recently diagnosed with kidney disease. Knowing he has a doctor he likes and understands his symptoms is a relief. I’m still worried, but not as worried as I was a few months ago.
My boss who is kind and understanding, trusts me to do what needs to be done, and never micro manages. My position is being re structured, so having him talk me through everything has been helpful, and his first words were ‘you still have a job, no change in hours or pay’. Phew.
That the new position will lean into my artistic side, and new art supplies are being ordered.
For the owl family that live in the cemetery by my work. The three chicks are learning to fly and they are beautiful. Why they are so active during the day is a mystery, but they provide excellent entertainment on my break.
That my workplace is supporting Special Olympics, not just as a sponsor, but also to give our special Olympian staff member a chance to shine and wear his medals.
Golly,
I just showed my 40-something son how to thread a drawstring back into a pair of his shorts a few months ago. He was here for a few days and did laundry and the string slipped out. So I taught him that important life skill!
Speaking of skills, everyone should thankful I'm not a nurse. I was in the Army and Army Reserve for nearly 24 years but I was not any thing in the medical field. One time, at a conference, our medical people had a display set up. I got to practice starting an IV on a dummy's arm. Yikes! I punched straight through the vein every time! So everyone should be very glad I'm not a nurse! And I'm thankful for the brave souls who let nurses in training practice on them!
-- Like Kristen, I'm glad I know how to sew! I learned formally way back in high school home-economics. But my mom was always a sewer when I was a kid and made a lot of my clothes when I was a little girl. So I was always exposed to sewing. I love the creativity of it. I still use the Singer sewing machine I got in high school from a family friend when it was 5 years old. I remember I paid her $75 for it. She was buying a new machine. So it's about 55 years old now and still runs like a champ. I've made clothes, altered clothes, repaired items, created crafty things and saved a bunch of $$ in the process.
-- I'm thankful for our garden. My husband way over plants every year and we have enough to feed half our town. But it's always nice to be able to go out in the garden and get something fresh. We had tomatoes and lettuce in a taco salad for dinner tonight and we've been eating cucumbers for weeks. The green beans will soon be ready.
I know there are lots of other things I'm thankful for but those are my few for the week. I have a tagline on the bottom of my emails that says "there is always something to be thankful for." And that is so true!
I am thankful that after 5 years of retirement I volunteered for day camp. These kids are funny, sweet, exhausting and the best mid summer break. I harvested garlic scapes and pea pods to make pesto and cold sesame noodles. I have a little reunion breakfast this weekend. Next week we are going on the 3rd frugal vacation of the summer. Very thankful to still be gainfully employed.
@Kristen - you should be thankful you do *not* live in the Midwest. I can guarantee you have not met humid. Nary a stalk of corn growing near you, is there?
You can thank common sense folks that your basement does not flood. I suspect drain tile around your foundation as well as infrastructure to address the convergence.
1. A dumpster was delivered to my home this week and cleaning out of the garage and purging of all the things commenced. This has been a very long time coming and for the first time in more than 2 years I feel like I might be able to get it all organized. The feeling of organization is so good! Especially when pregnant.
2. My energy levels are good. For someone at my age and pregnant with my second child, energy is not something I take for granted. I thought I would be useless the first 3 months but thankfully I am more on the side of being told to sit down/lie down and not being able to lift stuff is driving me nuts. Healthy, happy baby in my arms in February is the best result.
3. The 1st trimester is almost done and I am really excited about that. I will graduate from the fertility clinic next week and move on to my regular OB. Things are getting really real and I feel myself relaxing which is always a good thing.
4. Sleep! I am getting the most glorious sleep and I credit that to a new all natural magnesium sleep butter. The stuff is amazing and has me averaging almost 8 hours a night. For a woman in her 40's I will take that action!
5. My faith. I know this will seem repetitive but I find that as the world seems to become more insane every day, my faith deepens more and more. I am grateful for a place of peace and reassurance in the midst of so much noise.
Love a safety pin! I use it to replace the drawstrings often on hoodies!
And yes and hooray for Watermelon season as well!
That i am on vacation in Scottsdale even though it was 112° yesterday
I’m thankful …
- For a husband who cooked delish Japanese inspired panko fried chicken and shrimp.
- For the fun bike rodeo event yummy ice cream sundae station at my church sponsored.
- For cloudy skies to cool us while we were at the beach and bike rodeo.
- For my basic sewing skills. I was able to easily mend a hole in my girl’s dress.
Wait... Patient Care Techs can draw blood? I thought you had to be phlebotomy, nurse, or Dr. (well NP, PA, etc). Are PCT's not the same as Nursing Assistants or Medical Assistants?