This week, I am thankful:
that my terrible, horrible, no good, very-bad BSN class is DONE
I have submitted my very last assignments, and I never have to do another speck of work for that class again.
YAYYYYY!!!! I survived!
I am so very relieved to be done.
that despite the suffering, I got an A
In between the crash-outs, I did get good grades on my weekly projects.
Plus, my little group and I actually got a 20/20 on our final project, and the professor asked if she could use our presentation as a sample for future classes.
So, yay us!
that I don’t have a night shift tonight
I worked overnight the last two nights and I am so happy that’s over with.
I have ALL day shifts from now through January 10th. Woohoo!
The schedule that starts on January 11th has not been released yet, so I do not know my fate for those weeks. But for now, I am going to be grateful for a string of day shift weeks.
for the chance to leave things better than we found them
I was feeling a sense of dread about heading into my night shifts, and then I heard a song that reminded me of the “leave things better than you found them” idea.
So then I told myself, “Ok, these patients are at the hospital overnight, and they could really use a kind helping hand.”
And then I felt slightly more motivated to go in and make a difference for them.
But I do still hate night shifts. 😉
for an almost-perfect pack of Skittles
I ate a little packet of Skittles last night, and it had almost none of the flavors I dislike.
Orange and lemon are forever the elite flavors, along with the lime.
Red and purple Skittles? I don’t want them!
for a night shift buddy
My study buddy (now co-worker) Brittany has worked with me overnight the last two nights, and our patient assignments were right next to each other.
So, we had each other for company as we suffered through the overnight shifts we both hate, and that helped make it less miserable!
for the beauty of the cold season
I was going to say “winter” but I know it’s still technically fall.
However, the scenes I am appreciating are very winter-ish.
I love a good morning walk filled with frosty scenery.
And it snowed while I was at work the other day! It felt so magical, watching the snowfall through the windows in my patients’ rooms. It was so…December-y. 🙂
It made me smile to come home and see my cute little house covered in snow.
JaeFi
Thursday 11th of December 2025
I’m thankful for:
1. Yesterday’s post and conversation here. It was so interesting to read everyone’s different thoughts, all expressed respectfully. I checked for new comments throughout the day—it was all so engaging!
2. The friendliness and straightforwardness of the plumber who replaced some pipes here yesterday. I so appreciate service people who are easy to talk to and ask questions of.
3. For my own growth over the years.
4. That my son-in-law and I are developing a comfortable, chatty relationship from the brief time we spend together every week when I pick up my granddaughter.
5. My aunt, who has invited my mother on several outings recently, including visiting my uncle. My mother is happiest spending time with family, and I’m so glad my aunt reached out to her.
Becca
Thursday 11th of December 2025
That’s so funny because I would happily take your red and purple skittles. Red is my favorite, although I do like all the other colors, too now that green has been changed back to its proper lime flavor. I absolutely hated the green apple flavor, especially because it clashed with the other flavors. It was beyond foul. I would pick the apple ones out and throw them away.
Karen A.
Thursday 11th of December 2025
Beautiful frosty pictures! We had a big snowfall last week and it was my favorite type of snow, the kind that sticks to all the tree branches and makes the place look like Narnia (before Aslan's return).
This week I'm grateful that:
DS#2 and I both got As in our nurse aide training (including As on our professional evaluations, which I was most nervous about).
That I was able to find out exactly where I am on the nursing program wait list (#80) and when I can expect an invitation to the cohort if I apply for the accelerated academic admission track, which I did. I might be starting as soon as Spring 2027! Eek.
For a warm, cozy house as we head into a cold snap.
For a breather from classes.
That we finally got DS#2's car back and they did NOT charge more than the quoted $1000, thus upholding my faith in humanity and belief that in general people do what they say they will.
For the Commodore, who has become a bit of a celebrity in my friend group chat; apparently one of my friends was able to bribe her toddler into the car seat by promising to show her a picture of "the pretty kitty." :D
JNL
Thursday 11th of December 2025
Congrats Kristen on completing your course - with such outstanding results too!
I absolutely love your frosty pictures!!
This week (and these weeks) are so hectic I just plod on from one day to the next. There are times like that and this is just such a time. There are only two things on my mind right now: thankful that it is almost weekend, and thankful that our adult kid still living at home made an offer on an apartment that was accepted. Moving out (in Spring next year) will be a life event for all parties, as husband and I will become empty nesters.
K D
Thursday 11th of December 2025
I am thankful for all your good things this week, especially that you successfully finished your terrible, horrible, no good class and that you have a month without night shifts. I know night shifts would be extremely difficult for me.
I am thankful that I have managed to do most of my holiday procuring without a lot of effort on my part.
I am thankful we put up our holiday tree up over the weekend. I love having it lit on these dark mornings and evenings. I enjoy seeing the ornaments we acquired over the years.
I am thankful for a relatively warmer day yesterday. I didn't need to bundle up so much to take a walk. It was even decent for walking in our neighborhood last night.