Thankful Thursday (on Thanksgiving)
Well, hello there, friends! You must have some space in your day (maybe you're not in the U.S.! Or maybe Thanksgiving is a quiet day for you), and I'm glad you're here. 🙂
This week, I am thankful:
that the days will get longer in just over three weeks
You guys, we are already very close to the winter solstice! The shortest day of the year is December 21st, and that's three weeks from Saturday.
for fun dinnertime phone convos with Lisey
Her schedule works out so that when calls me after work, Zoe and I are often eating dinner at the time. So we have a little three-person conversation while we eat our dinner, and it almost feels like Lisey is not all the way over there in the middle of the ocean. 😉
that I ended up not having to be scheduled for two night shifts
My goodness, I am delighted about this. I was originally scheduled for both Wednesday and Thursday night.
But as it turns out, I only have to work overnight tonight. Yay! So I will take it easy today and maybe even try to get in a nap before I go in overnight tonight.
Zero night shifts is really my ideal number, but one is way way better than two!
that my UPS driver's got jokes
Our Halloween skeleton had fallen off the bench, and when the UPS man delivered a package, he set it up like this:
It made me giggle and I wish I could find him and express my appreciation.
I love when people bring some personality to their jobs!
for the hilarity of cats and laser pointers
I always laugh when I see a cat skidding across the floor in pursuit of the little red light.
for wooly bear caterpillars
I have loved these since I was a kid. They are just so fuzzy!
And their coloring is very good camouflage; at first glance you would not notice the caterpillar in this picture:
for the way water makes the cold months look less bleak
There's not much out there in the way of leaves these days, but the water views are still pretty!
Also: mosses and evergreens help.
And a bay view looks mostly the same year-round.
for my cozy little office
I am very lucky to have a room where I can spread out all of my school mess during the semester.
Even in this highly digital age, nursing school still does involve a lot of paper.
I will get it all cleaned up after my final exam. 🙂
that a trip to Starbucks helped me get my brochure project done
We had an assignment to make a teaching tool for parents of pediatric patients, and most people make a brochure.
I was having a very hard time getting going on this project, so I hauled myself to Starbucks again to force myself to focus. And it worked! I got it done in one afternoon.
that Canva makes it easy to produce something quasi-professional
Their free templates are so much better than anything I'd come up with from scratch, and I am grateful!
for the way Lisey and I share a sense of humor
When one of us sees a meme or a joke that makes us dissolve into giggles, it is almost guaranteed that the other person will also have the same reaction.
For example, this one made us both laugh so hard this week:
I can't even explain quite why it is so funny, but as soon as I saw it, I knew Lisey would feel the same. And she did. 😉
for all of you
Thank you so much for being here; I am grateful!
Thankful for
*daughter brought two college friends hone for the weekend. They kept her company on the drive ( she gets anxious driving in the dark) and it gave me the motivation to clean.
* Special Olympics basketball started up again for my daughter.
* the SO coordinator gave me so advice about what my options are for another kid. She listened to my woes and let me pick her brain about accommodations.
*my son enjoys playing basketball. It's his first time playing, and he wasn't sure about it, but now he comes off the court glowing with sweat and pride. He's a scrappy little defender, often playing against boys who are much taller than him, and he gives it his all
*there are only three class days after the break. I'm ready for this term to be done.
@mbmom11, I loved your description of your new basketball player glowing with sweat and pride. It's hard sometimes to watch a kid play (or not play at all) who isn't sure of himself, but as long as they're on board with it and really want to do it, that's all that matters. (I tell myself as my son sits on the bench for another entire game . . .)
@kristin @ going country,
When there are only 7 players on the team, everyone gets sweaty! He's playing on the 7th grade team as a 5th grader, so he's guaring boys who are already much larger.
I hope your son gets playing time soon!
@mbmom11, Ours is also only 7 players on the team. And still . . .
As always, I'm thankful for Kristen, this blog, and the Commentariat. I'm similarly thankful for Katy, the NCA, and her Commentariat.
I'm thankful for my IRL friends both here and elsewhere.
I'm thankful for reasonably good health for my age. (And for modern medicine and dentistry. Both of these have their flaws, goodness knows, but they're both way ahead of what were available in Jane Austen's time!)
And, of course, I'm thankful for JA herself and her works!
@A. Marie, Dentistry-- I love the feeling of walking out of the dentist's office with clean teeth.
@Jody S., I love the feeling of walking out of the dentist's office with all of my teeth still in my mouth. ;-}
@JDinNM, many members of the Austen family would appreciate that feeling too. Although JA herself didn't live long enough to lose too many teeth, both her mother and her sister Cassandra did.
@JDinNM,
ROTFL!
@Jody S., Me, too. I always feel a pan of regret at the first meal I have after teeth cleaning because I love the feel of polished teeth as only the hygienist can do it.
I am so thankful for my family, especially my two granddaughters. They have such pure, kind, sweet hearts. And they make us laugh. I love the smallish town we live in now. It’s big enough to have most everything we need, but small enough to get everywhere easily. I appreciate that there’s wealth here so we have things this size town wouldn’t normally have, such as two theaters for live performances, an art museum, and a botanical garden. I’m far from young now, but I have a body that still lets me play golf, ride a bike, do water aerobics and do my own housework. That’s a blessing.
I am thankful for this exercise.
I am thankful that we'll have a small Thanksgiving today. We keep it relatively simple. There will be leftovers which we adore.
I am thankful for my physical therapist. She is an independent provider and we enjoy chatting every time I have an appointment.
I am thankful our FSA will be fully spent before the end of the year. The past several years we have been scrambling to spend the funds before the grace period ended. This year we put less into it and that was a good idea.
I am thankful for the holiday lights we see when we walk in the evening. I'm not ready to decorate yet but it is pretty when out at night.
Thankful for
A trip out to the coast with hiking, great views, and whale watching
Three teenagers who are all growing up in beautiful and unexpected ways.
My husband and I are at odds about how to plan an upcoming trip to see family, but we are taking about it and listening to each other.
My mama and her wife, my step- mother, are joining us for thanksgiving. My mother’s dementia has worsened recently, but she is still loving, still engaged as much as possible, and we will all enjoy celebrating together.
My eldest is on top of her college applications. We are all trying to cherish our time together. Very hard to believe she won’t be around next year!
I appreciated yesterday’s post and discussion. I wish everyone a good day today.
@Hadilly,
I appreciated yesterday's post and discussion as well. I spent many years in my late 20s/early 30s alone on Thanksgiving, not wanting to go to my parent's bestie's house (they were gracious to invite me, but I always felt 100% like an outsider), and none of my friends invited me to go with them. I miss my mother in law's family Thanksgivings. She had dementia the last year of her life. I'm glad you get to spend time with your mom and her wife today.
Today I am particularly grateful that I will see all four of my peeps after my work shift and we will all enjoy a dinner together!
Also thankful for:
*my home, which is becoming more and more "mine" with each passing month
*the new car, which is a safe and reliable way to get myself to work
*The weather here which has cooled at night and remains sunny and mild during the day. So great to do my daily walk!
Most of my thankfulness has to do with privilege, and I thank God every day for these material comforts. But I am starting to notice more of the small things that are accessible to all of us and it greatly expands my world.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Thankfuls:
--That my eldest son has had such a good time in New York this week. An unequivocal success for him (assuming he can fly back tomorrow with no problems).
--That this son is in a much better and more stable place than he was last year. He would not have been able to handle this trip six months ago. So many things have improved for him, mentally, emotionally, and physically.
--For my husband's best friend from high school who is still there--and married to another good friend of theirs from high school--and made the effort to get my son together with theirs. The boys were friends when they were small, and even though we haven't lived in that town since those now-big-boys were six years old, they still like hanging out. Husband's friend took them fishing and clay pigeon shooting, and had my son over last night for their big family gathering with cousins to play laser tag and so on. My son is enjoying visiting his grandma, but is also unsurprisingly enjoying having time with some kids his own age.
--For the experience in the kitchen that allows me to cook a "feast" meal like today's with very little stress. I joke sometimes that I cook holiday meals on a regular basis--meaning many from-scratch dishes for lots of people--so on an actual holiday it doesn't feel like a big deal. It's true, though.
--For a good conversation with my brother, the perpetual searcher. He never seems to find the peace he's always seeking, and his questions for me lately have been more faith-based. I hope this leads him to a place where he can stop this continual searching and find that peace.
--For my family. My children are all healthy, bright, interesting people and it's so fun watching them grow into themselves. The best thing that ever happened in my life, for sure. I didn't even know if I would have children when I was younger, and it turned out to be what I was made for. Nice when things work out like that. 🙂
I hope everyone's day is filled with exactly what you are thankful for.
@kristin @ going country,
Your menu's do make a weekday festive!
@kristin @ going country, I was thinking something similar about cooking this morning. As mentioned in my thankful post -- I love Thanksgiving food. So I do the whole feast for just the two of us. After so many years I know how to break things into smaller tasks over a few days so it's not overwhelming. I think that's something that only comes with experience.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Thankful for our house & the heat that keeps us warm. Today starts to below normal temps for the next week or so. At noon today will be the high of 30 (real feel) & descending after that. Upper 20s to 30 next 7 days with wind chill making it feel like teens & feel like teens or single digit over nights. So glad for heat!
Thankful for teen happy & wanting to do some of our family traditions together.
Thankful for rescue dogs who have no shame in letting us know that they want to share our food. They really are so cute sometimes sitting so perfectly for so long making sure we see them. 🙂
Thankful for the clear roads (no snow) until later today/tonight. Lake effect snow machine (wind coming off Lake Michigan) is guaranteed to give us snow tomorrow & through next week.
Thankful I will not be out on Friday shopping.
Thankful that Free store accepted my donations the other day as the sign said full but I had boxes with 30+ DVD's & vintage Christmas ornaments, reusable bags & Home Interiors Thanksgiving decorations that I'm sure found new homes in time for the holiday(s).
Thankful for the food I will be cooking today for our holiday meal.
Always Thankful for Kristen & her site allowing us to learn & share from each other.
Have a great Weekend! <3
As it happens, one of my daughters ended up in the pediatric ED at a university hospital near us last night. It was a result of a complication from her hEDS (Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos) that I mentioned in my Meet-A-Reader post. It was scary for a bit, but the scary thing turned out not to be a thing so I'm feeling especially thankful for that.
I couldn't help but think about Kristen as the nurses who were helping us were working overnight the night before Thanksgiving. What a gift those nurses were during a particularly stressful time, compounded by the holiday. My daughter was so afraid she was going to "miss Thanksgiving." I am thankful for all the nurses out there, too.
You're doing such good work, Kristen and I'm sure your cheerful personality makes these difficult situations so much brighter.
@Beth, oh, how scary! I'm glad it turned out to be not a thing.
@Beth, Adding a thankful that your daughter is home for Thanksgiving. And agree that Kristen is joining the ranks of those who do heroic work to make people feel better at their worst possible time.
@WilliamB, Thanks so much for the kind words! Happy Thanksgiving to you!
@ErikaJS, Thank you! I really appreciate it. Happy Thanksgiving!
That UPS driver! So fun. That would make me smile, too. And I bet it made him smile to do it. Isn't it lovely when someone goes the extra mile?
Happy American Thanksgiving. It's just...a normal Thursday here in Canada (we celebrate in early October), but our tree is up and I'm going to go grab my bestie a coffee. She's home with a sick preschooler and she is an American living in Canada, so I always want to give her a little pick-me-up since she's missing such a big holiday "back home."
@Elisabeth, What a kind thing to do for your friend! I am sure you are on her thankful list.
This week's thankfuls:
-for available and affordable medical care
-for eldest, who has great sense of humour and likes (nearly) every meal I cook
-for youngest, who points out my weak spots in the most kind and loving way possible, and shares a love of reading and crafts with me
-for my husband, who is such a devoted parent despite the examples set to him in childhood
-for safety, physical and emotional
-for the sunshine and silence today after yesterday's storm
Very simply....GOD. Without him, none of this is possible. Happy Thanksgiving Kristen and all the FG readers:)
@Vicki Skonieczny,
AMEN!
AMEN ! Happy Thanksgiving to all!
I think the orange joke is hilarious also. It sounds like a "hack" that people would swear by and the tone is totally unexpected.
Always always always so grateful for the library. So many good books and non-digital ways to enjoy leisure time. My kids are avid readers and trips to the library (and subsequent hours spent reading books) are always very exciting and enjoyable.
I'm thankful for a warm, dry home. I'm also thankful that my friend loaned me her stand mixer. She's not much of a baker, so she graciously, indefinitely loaned me her mixer when mine bit the dust. Making holiday foods is so much easier with a stand mixer.
I'm thankful that I've had so many folks in my life who taught me how to cook and that I feel comfortable making food for myself and my friends and family. It feels empowering to know how to do things in the kitchen.
I'm thankful for friends. They make life richer and more beautiful. And I'm thankful for family. So much love, mixed with challenges, makes us better people, in so many ways.
Yes! It's the "this does not work however" that sent us into fits of giggles.
@Kristen,
@Kristen,
Exactly!:-)
@Kristen, the very best laugh of the day so far! THANKS!
Happy Thanksgiving!! I am thankful for your photo of the skeleton. I love a sense of humor. I'm also thankful that I get to spend Thanksgiving with all my kids. My husband passed away so I also don't have the life of my dreams but my family is a great balm.
La fotografía de la bahía es hermosa ❤️
@K T,
Si, estoy de acuerdo!
Gracias! Tengo suerte de vivir aqui. 🙂
The view of the bay is beautiful no matter the season.
My daughter came for a visit this week, and I am thankful for her company.
I’m thankful that my sister bought movie tickets a week in advance for the movie, Wicked. My daughter, sister and I enjoyed a movie matinee together yesterday afternoon. So fun!
I am thankful that my holiday fix-up list is nearly completed and tomorrow I’ll decorate for Christmas. Several years ago, I began hosting the Christmas parties for my book club and another club to which I belong. At the time, I was feeling a little lost and not very festive — perhaps even a little grinch-y. Now I look forward to it.
I am thankful the weather is lovely today ahead of a cold front. I may set my Thanksgiving table on the back porch and dine alfresco.
I am thankful for the honest and heartfelt conversation that Kristen initiated with yesterday’s blog post. Whatever your plan is today, I hope your heart is light and hopeful.
@Bee, did you enjoy Wicked the movie? I've heard it's different than Broadway musical, not the I've been. Considering going to .
@Regina,
My sister, daughter and I all enjoyed it. It is definitely a movie that should be seen on the big screen. It is longer than the play and does drag just a little in parts. The movie only covers the first act of the play. I also had to be careful not to sing. Evidently this is causing controversy. I love the song, Defying Gravity.
We are feeling the darkness right now! When we left home on the western part of the time zone yesterday morning, my kids all commented on how dark it was. Then we arrived at the eastern part of our time zone and it got dark in a hurry!
This week I'm thankful:
- that some things that have been quietly in the works for a while are now public: my husband is in the process of getting a new job and my in-laws are moving to Michigan!
- for how excited and kind people have been at my husband's soon-to-be new job. It's a very public hiring process, so the support in this past week has been very encouraging.
- that so many people will be here for Thanksgiving today. I love being with my family for Thanksgiving, but we're at my in-laws this year and their families have always been very welcoming to me. They are expecting 53 people today! I am thankful for the chance to see almost all of the aunts and uncles.
- that I found homes for the clothes my son has outgrown. That size of clothes had a lot of really nice items and I'm so happy that we were able to give them to people who can use them rather than just donate them.
- and finally, for my body shaper that helps my Detroit Lions shirt fit nicely. Ha! Kind of a dumb thing, but true. Go Lions!!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Thankful for:
We’ve chatted with our Kenya crew this morning (while we were having breakfast, they were getting their Thanksgiving dinner on the table.) It’s obviously not a holiday there, but the expats still celebrate.
I had my second knee replaced on Monday and am feeling better today.
Am very thankful for the ROMtech machine my surgeon ordered that helps get the bend back in the knees.
Thankful that our daughter is making the Thanksgiving dinner and bringing it to us since there will be no cooking here today.
Thankful for cooler weather headed our way!
Today I am thankful:
*that I have some time to comment. It's not a school day for us, and I'm on track with my feast preparations.
*that I didn't plan a big get-together with friends or family because we have a sickness.
*for the coffee my husband just handed to me. For my husband.
*for my kids. They make me laugh. They stress me out. They understand me. They love me.
*for my dad. It's nice having him around. Plus, he's an extra chauffeur/errand boy.
*that we do indeed have a few cans of tuna in the basement because I had no idea what we were going to have for lunch today otherwise.
*that in just about two weeks my far-away college boy will be home for break.
*for another encouraging rejection that my other college boy received yesterday from a place he submitted a story. While he is a bit dejected, they gave feedback and said a bunch of positive things. Also thankful for this son--- he says the funniest things. He's been looking for a part-time job, and my husband was reading through job listings aloud. One boarding school needed what my husband called a horse boy (to take care of the horses). My son perked up and said, "A centaur? That one sounds interesting!"
*for the dreary rain.
*for my husband's grandmother. She's not doing well. She's 90+ and has been in and out of the hospital, nursing home, and assisted living this fall. I'm thankful that my children have had a chance to know their great-grandmother. Also, she came into my life the very summer that both of my own grandmothers died; it's been nice having a grandma these last 20+ years.
*for silly chickens, for people who made my birthday special, for my facial physical therapists, and for the marigolds in the flowerbed that are holding on to some pretty colors.
*that I decided to splurge on some health workbooks for my children. For homeschooling, we are required to show 3 proofs each semester for each subject. I generally read about health topics to the children, and we discuss them. But I need some sort of written assignment. I always struggle with this because it's one more thing to plan/do. So I ordered a few workbooks, and now I will not have to worry about it. It was just one of those little things that I allowed to become big in my head.
@Jody S., your son's "centaur" joke just made me spit Diet Pepsi into my laptop. Happy Thanksgiving to you and all of yours!
I'm glad you could pop in!
@Kristen, Me, too!
@Jody S., missed you around here. Sounds as if your thankfuls have been accumulating for awhile!
@A. Marie, That does not sound frugal at all! Happy Thanksgiving to you, too!
@Central Calif. Artist Jana, Maybe I went a little overboard, but after I had them all typed, I couldn’t bring myself to delete them. I tend to be overflowing with gratitude. I have many faults: going overboard is one of them, but lack of thankfulness is not.
- I’m grateful for friends and neighbors to gather with today for a meal. And that I am only making gluten-free stuffing to share. My days of cooking large meals for others are past.
- I am grateful for my neighbor who came over to check out a tunnel I discovered in the planter in front of my house. I don’t know what’s in there, but it displaced a lot of dirt. My neighbor set a live trap and said he’d keep an eye on it. I can handle opening pickle jars, but there are times I miss my ex-husband. (-;
- I’m grateful for the person here (or at NCA) who mentioned the Glucose Goddess books and website. I’m doing a few of her simple “hacks” and have already seen a drop in my blood glucose levels!
- I am grateful that the biopsy results showed that I have a benign papule on my nose, so no need to worry.
- I am thankful for my warm house and full pantry.
@Dee in AZ, I’m also grateful for technology because I can still talk to everyone in my family today.
Happy Thanksgiving!
@Dee in AZ, so glad you found the Glucose Goddess and that her "hacks" are working for you! It took mine from 6.1 to 5.7, and now I am screwing up courage to have it checked again, DETERMINED to get out of the "pre-diabetic" category. ("Courage" because if it hasn't dropped since last checked in July, I most definitely will be discouraged.)
Thankful for your posting today, Kristen.
Like you with Lisey, we do dinner with the kids in Boston and Austin using Zoom or FaceTime. Today, the three households will do Thanksgiving this way because it’s so close to Christmas for them to do flights twice.
We aim for Sunday nights, spend time together while we make our meals and then eat them. Our GD, 5 years old, is so animated, showing us her drawings, her school projects, legos she’s building, and dancing sometimes. Often we do a weekday too if schedules provide.
So, I am very, very thankful for this technology. We don’t have to miss seeing our dear ones for more than a few days.
Thankful for all the people who are working today to keep the world running in spite of a holiday: nursing and medical staff, of course, police officers and prison staff, all those on-call folks like HVAC, plumbers, cable/satellite/tv workers, convenience store and gas station employees, snow plow operators and especially our First Responders to name just a few. I've had enough unplanned interactions with these folks on holidays to know they're all heroes!
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!
I’m thankful for all of the heartfelt comments on yesterday’s post. Some happy, some sad, all of them open and honest and many supportive. “Holidays” are sometimes more fraught than fun.
Thankful I’m not cooking today! None of us are. My older sister’s birthday is November 25, which fell on Monday this year when everybody but her was working. So we’re celebrating on Saturday with … ta dum! Takeout!
And my dog tells me she’s thankful for BilJac “Little Jacs” training treats made with fresh chicken liver. Emphasis on “treat”, not “training”.
@JDinNM,
Ummmm, it sounds like your dog has YOU well trained! LOL!
@Fru-gal Lisa, She's sitting on my lap at the moment and nodding in agreement with your comment...
Absolutely agree with the water point. I have been struggling the last few days with a lot on my plate, I was walking down the coast with my 3 year old this morning and she said she wanted to sit on a bench 'to watch the sea'. We did just that for 20 minutes and it made me feel so much lighter and ready to face the rest of the day.
Happy holidays to you all x
Thankful for getting together with some family members today.
Very thankful the snow has not started so driving is so far so good.
The grands will be here they are so much fun.
The car shop was able to fix my car in about 5 days, they thought it would be weeks. And the company covered the oil leak so my cost was $0.00.
That I got some of my Christmas decorations up.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
All of the grateful feelings today!
1) DS17 picked up DS18 at the airport last night & I got to hug my teen for the first time in 10 weeks. Of course, he then immediately disappeared to go see his girlfriend, but I got to hug him!
2) We specifically sent DS17 on his own (DH really had to hold me back), because they haven't talked at all since DS18 was at college & we wanted them to catch up. They did!
3) For today, which DS18 has promised me is my family day. We might do a hike, although the teens threatened to turn it into brunch. Regardless, time with both of my boys, which I will really try hard not to take for granted again.
4) For an absolutely gorgeous fall morning today. Chilly, but good for hiking or whatever we choose to do.
5) That we had the financial flexibility to get DS18 home from college. I remember being very lonely on Thanksgiving my freshman year (my parents couldn't afford a flight) & I'm happy we could make it happen, which I know not everyone could afford.
@Hawaii Planner,
Enjoy your visit with DS18. When my son would come home from college, there were few things that could make me as happy as a big bear hug from him. He is a graduate student and teacher now. With the end of the semester around the corner, I didn’t have time to head home. He is deep into data analysis and grading papers. I missed him!
@Bee, Yes! The bear hugs. I'm lucky that DS18 isn't shy about hugs when I ask. DS17, however, is NOT a hugger. I'm hoping he will grow out of that phase!
Thankful:
-Husband is so much better and in acute rehab facility after an extended bout of c-diff.
-Daughter is cooking almost all of Thanksgiving meal & I can take a plate to spouse.
-Caring friends that have checked in to make sure I'm fine.
-Almost 100% done with Christmas shopping.
-A warm, comfortable place to live.
Finally, honest insurance agents who explain the ins & outs of switching Medicare supplements even though it means not making a sale!
@Jennifer G, Such good news! Thanks for the update and best wishes for a HAPPY Thanksgiving.
@Jennifer G,
This all sounds so positive! I hope your husband continues to improve. C diff is serious stuff.
For my large, annoying, challenging to organize family. It's nice to have all of us together every now and then.
For my practical, pragmatic, validating father. So much easier to plan with someone with that set of characteristics.
For cool weather. Fall is my favorite. I prefer sweaters to T-shirts.
Not just for finally finding someone to do my yard, but finding a gardener and not just a maintainer, who has the same preferences that I do (non invasive! low maintenance! critter friendly! compost! a bit scruffy around the edges!) He has a sense of humor, too. After telling me he saw a good model yard for me, he sent a pix of a garden that was manicured to within an inch of its life.
For the members of a craftwork group in the city in which I'm vacationing, who were so welcoming to me, someone they will never see again.
FOR THE FG COMMUNITY, WHO NEVER FAIL TO BE PLEASANT, SUPPORTIVE, AND FUN. Thank you for being a daily part of my life.
@WilliamB, OF COURSE you prefer sweaters because you are a knitter. This made me smile in recognition and understanding.
And a gardener rather than a maintainer—we call those maintainers "Mow, Blow & Go" guys. I totally understand. At my address, Husband is the maintainer, and I am the gardener. It works. And we both prefer a bit scruffy around the edges. Twenty-six years ago when we bought the place, we both immediately knew that the square shrubs had seen their last power trimmers, and the fruitless mulberry would never again get pruned to bare lumpy knuckles.
Thankful for this blog, today and every other week day!
Thankful for the abundance we have: food, friends, family, pets, breathing room in the budget and enough to give to others.
We just found an organization to volunteer with in our new town, and I already love the mission and the people who work there.
Thankful for my warm clothes, shoes, and house as it gets chillier.
Echoing A. Marie— thankful for dentistry! I have had my fair share of work but that means I get to keep my teeth and continue eating hearty food.
Thankful for good books, movies, music, and games to enjoy on my own and to connect with others.
Still thankful for the Misfit Thanksgiving topic. I learned a long time ago not to be worried about spending this holiday alone. In years past, I took the opportunity to decorate for Christmas as I thanked God for my blessings We had our Family Thanksmas a week ago Saturday and it was pleasant. My coworkers tonight and I are carrying in a meal to have together.
I am thankful to be in fairly good health. As I age and care for some people my age, it is not lost on me that the situation could be much different. I am older than either of my parents when they died.
I am thankful to be able to work. It does give me some purpose and I do enjoy it 98% of the time. I have learned a lot of valuable lessons and has been one of the things that has softened my rough edges.
I am thankful for my best friends who also happen to be my landlords. And even though they live in WV and I live in MO, technology has helped some. We are not in each other's faces all of the time but I got the funniest reminder in messenger the other day that still has me smiling.
I am thankful for my church family. We share our needs and joys often. And since I am single, they do help me with things I can't do myself.
I am thankful for my Molly girl. She is aging, too. She helps fill the empty.
May you all be blessed beyond measure this Thanksgiving Day!
I’m thankful you posted this on Thanksgiving so we can share our reflections.
* I’m thankful for the invitation to join my DILs family for Thanksgiving again and for our pup whose tummy troubles are making us have to stay home instead.
* Thankfully we had afternoon play time with small granddaughter and son plus dinner with the whole crew yesterday so had a good dose of loving family time.
* I’m thankful that our cooking skills and stocked pantry mean we can create a nice dinner for ourselves today anyway.
* A beautiful sunny if brisk day means I can take a long walk on one of the quieter days of the year.
* And as always I am thankful for the people in my life and the comfort of our home.
@Juhli,
Even though you are unable to go, I think it's still nice to be invited. Sounds like a lovely, quiet day.
@Liz B., it is very nice to be invited
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Thankful for:
--My friends who go above and beyond for me. Just this week, N. came to the vet's office to be with me when we sent my sweet doggie to Heaven; M. fixed me a Thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings to bring home.
--Being employed. Two little jobs = one big job.
--Retirement pensions.
--Getting to be part of the Commentariat here. I feel like this is a caring community and that you all are my friends.
--The internet. Not only can I read blogs, but it provides news, free crossword puzzles, free jigsaw puzzles (where you don't need a place to set them up, plus you don't lose pieces of virtual jigsaws!) and free music/Youtubes. Not to mention emailing my friends!
--My new eyeglasses, where I can see both distance and up close. Bonus: it hides the bags under these 69 y.o. eyes so I don't have to use the (expensive and uncomfortable) Plexiderm.
--Loving pets, even though she's now departed. R.I.P., silly girl.
--Good coffee in the mornings.
--Good books to read.
@Fru-gal Lisa, What a wonderful list! I am not in the least surprised that you have friends who go above and beyond for you, because I am absolutely positively sure you are that sort of friend to them.
@Fru-gal Lisa, Everything that JDinNM said plus I feel sure that we would be friends IRL, if only we were neighbors or coworkers. I would love that!
@Fru-gal Lisa, I'm thankful for the Commentariat, too. It feels nice to be welcomed back even if I feel like I have to duck out most of the time.
@Jody S., I don't think Kristen takes attendance! And it's always good to hear from you. ;-}
@Fru-gal Lisa, i am sorry you had to let your pooch go. That's always hard. May her memory be a blessing.
1. Thankful for plenty of snow this week and 27 below today because fewer people go out at these temperatures and any noise made is muffled. I love winter.
2. Thankful for the wonderful smells coming out of the oven. The dogs, who are never allowed in the kitchen for safety reasons, are lying at the edge of the kitchen and staring intently at the oven door as if they were watching flames in a fireplace.
3. Thankful for enough food and heat to be comfortable, when so many do not have these luxuries.
4. Thankful for a good book to read after we are done with our meal.
5. Thankful for the husband. Always the husband.
@Lindsey, that's funny that you don't allow your dogs in the kitchen for safety reasons because I'm the same way & get criticized for that. But after almost tripping over dog (couldn't see) with hands full of HOT cooked food I never want that scare again. 🙂
@Lindsey,
The dogs peering intently in the oven window....hilarious!
I posted this yesterday:
"I have five siblings. Due to distance, both physical and emotional, I won’t be seeing any of them for Thanksgiving (yes, the local-ish ones were invited, well in advance. It seems we all have busy lives/extended families.) This makes me sad, so I took action. Some good friends will be in town, so they and their daughter and her new husband* will be joining us. They love to cook, and they’re coming a couple hours early. Two of my husband’s family will join us a little later. That brings the total to eight at our table. I am so busy with preparations that it takes the edge off. I am very much looking forward to tomorrow.
Favorite family story: It was my aunt’s turn to host our huge family. My younger brother invited one of his friends and his mom. He did so because he thought “two was too lonely” for Thanksgiving. Problem was, he didn’t remember to ask or tell my aunt until he got there. What’s two more when you’re already serving twenty? When I call my aunt later today, we will laugh about this story yet again.
Don’t be afraid to invite someone new to your table. Conversely, accept if someone else asks."
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Yesterday, a very casual friend came over to pick something up. We asked him what his Thanksgiving plans were. He said his wife and son had been away and were just returning that day. He said they'd probably do take out, which stabbed at my sentimental heart.
*Last night, we got word that daughter and SIL mentioned above were dealing with a family emergency and couldn't be here.
So I called our friend and invited his family to join us. Happily, they said yes! The have three lovely children. I am so thrilled, because Thanksgiving without kids isn't quite as special, IMO.
Look at me, taking my own advice!
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
@Dicey, I love having a ton of people over for holiday meals. One year I cooked for 25.
That said, remember to check in w the host about extra guests!
Happy Thanksgiving! I am thankful for you. Sharing your blog with me, a complete stranger, is so generous. I am entertained, informed, and inspired by you. Have a great day!
Thankful that three out of my six daughters are home, pitching in to help with the dinner, and that I have two granddaughters with me!
Thankful that everyone is healthy.
Thankful that I live in a beautiful part of the country!
Thankful for many happy memories!
I loved the cleaning tip! 😀
Thankful:
1. that I got help with the new sign for church—I designed it, then got told it is my responsibility to get it built. WHAT??!! Then help came. . .
2. that a customer wanting an impossible pencil drawing finally figured out that it wasn't a good idea.
3. that I had the sense to ask #2 customer for a downpayment so that I didn't spend all that time working for free (because my intuition said—and hoped—the customer would see the light and stop telling me "I know you can do this!" when my many years of experience said, "RIDICULOUS").
4. for a great rain storm to wash things off and put some white on those mountains.
5. for finding the right places and recipients for all the junk/stuff/porkadelia that had accumulated in all the closets, shelves, corners, and storage areas at church.
@Central Calif. Artist Jana,
"Porkadelia"....love it!
P.S. Very thankful that a missing flash drive suddenly reappeared (in a place we had looked many times—no other explanation than an answer to prayer!)
* I am so thankful that my entire immediate family can be together today. My daughters live out of town so it isn't something I ever take for granted.
* I'm grateful that my husband and son returned home safely from being away.
* I am blessed to be able to afford all the trappings of a Thanksgiving dinner. Between Aldi and my local grocery store, I got all that I needed without spending an exorbitant sum.
* Grateful for an easy two day work week followed by this time off.
* I too had a good dental visit. I had anxiety prior to going, but all is well. Whew.
Happy Thanksgiving, Kristen, and of course, to the Commentariat!
Writing this before I even read the comments, which is a part of this blog that I enjoy immensely.
That meme is hilarious! The honesty is refreshing! 🙂
I'm thankful for....
....having the time off and the resources to take a much-needed mini break over Thanksgiving. DH did all the planning (he's our planner extraordinaire), and found the cutest cabin in Ohio's Amish country for us.
.....delicious coffee and Earl Grey tea.
.....my library's Libby app. Love all those books, magazines, and audiobooks, free for the asking! Yes, there is often a wait on some of the newer books, but there's always something available to read.
.....for my special group of girl friends. We've known each other for almost 30 years, have celebrated the good things and mourned and supported each other through the not-so-good times. Currently, one friend is going through cancer treatment, with an upcoming big surgery; another is planning her April 2025 wedding. Such is life.
.......that my son's marching band experience was so positive. They got off to a rocky start - long story - but everyone pulled together, put in a zillion hours both behind and in front of the scenes, and had a FANTASTIC season. I'm so proud of my son, the other band members, and all of the band directors/staff who made it all happen.
.....for a new-to-me therapist, who is helping me unravel years of family dysfunction and trauma. I realize it's going to take a long time, but I'm so glad my job's EAP service directed me to her.
.....as always, for my DH and my son. They love me in spite of my foibles. Or maybe because of them. Ha.
Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate!
@Liz B., finding a therapist is definitely something to be thankful for.
@Liz B., Libby is fantastic indeed!
I hope your night shift goes great and I'm glad you don't have two in a row. That would be tough. I am not a night-shift person.
I'm thankful for the state park that's only a few miles from our house. We go there often to hike, or to boat in the summer. We took the dogs there this morning and had the trail to ourselves. We saw three bald eagles and a golden eagle.
I love living where we see so much wildlife. We almost always have deer in our yard and last week had a herd of elk in the neighborhood. Last week we also caught a mountain lion on our game camera early one morning.
For how technology makes staying in touch with family so easy. We've been texting and exchanging pictures with our nieces and my brother this morning. It helps us feel closer even though we live far apart.
For the 8 inches of fresh snow that has turned our neighborhood into a winter wonderland. The sun sparkling on the snow is magical to me.
For Thanksgiving food. I love every dish, and the fact that we pretty much only eat these things on Thanksgiving makes me look forward to them every year.
I'm thankful for
▪︎My new church family. I haven't been to church in decades, recently moved, and stumbled across this church. My husband and I spent Thanksgiving there, which makes the holiday a little easier.
▪︎Wide toe box shoes ("anatomical shoes"). I discovered these this year and it's made a huge difference- my feet no longer hurt constantly. Plain wide shoes still squished my feet, so this has been a lifesaver.
▪︎The public library. I love to read and lately have had to print out some paperwork. I had to get rid of nearly everything in my move and a printer wasn't a necessity- I'm thankful the library has one.
▪︎Good hugs. My new community is small and tight knit. And people here give really good hugs and genuinely care about each other.
I am here after coming home from a thanksgiving meal at my in-laws, and I have been carrying a sour attitude of fatigue, grump, and ready complaints. So if anyone needs the self-discipline of making a thankful list, it’s me. Thank you for the shining example you set, Kristin. You make the world a better place.
I’m thankful for:
a dry and warm house to walk into on a cold and rainy day
Children who are now old enough to keep themselves happily occupied without needing my attention or direction on a rainy afternoon
Children who are healthy and well
A kind, reliable husband
Working vehicles
A body that is strong enough and healthy enough
The rain, that will help us not be in a drought
In laws who will host us for a meal. I didn’t have to worry about cleaning my house, and I could focus on the fun of baking lots of things
A smartphone
Plenty of food
I'm so glad you joined us! Sending a hug!
I'm thankful that DS and BFF joined us today for a non-traditional Thanksgiving dinner before tomorrow's family celebration.
I'm thankful that tomorrow we will have a full house for traditional Thanksgiving celebration, including my nephew and his wife and our adorable grandson.
I'm thankful to have the day off tomorrow.
I'm thankful for my dishwasher. It's running for at least the second time today. 🙂
I'm thankful for my new car. My 2010 Pilot was showing her age and while it was kind of emotional trading her in, I love my new vehicle. I also love that we were able to write a check instead of financing her.
The orange juice meme is funny!
I am thankful that I passed my exam!!! And thankful that it's very nearly the weekend!
YAYYYY about your exam! Congrats!
@Sophie in Denmark, YES!!!!
@Kristen, thanks!!!
@JDinNM, I'm so relieved!
Better late, than never...especially today!
I am thankful that we were spared when we had a horrible auto accident today while on our way to my parents' home for Thanksgiving. Hydroplaned...hit a guardrail going 70 mph on the interstate, spun around in the road and was clipped by another car. Guardrail came out of the ground we hit it so hard...front and back of car was demolished, back glass is gone, etc...but my husband, myself, and my son all walked away without a scratch (Thank God especially with the blood thinners I am on). My son was in the backseat and just 6 inches behind him was destroyed.
Thankful that my other son and DIL were able to come get us.
Thankful that the passengers in the other vehicle were not harmed and were SO kind about it all...even when we waited over an hour in the rain for the state police on a holiday.
Thankful that we had a mini-Thanksgiving with my older son and DIL yesterday so we had a full Thanksgiving meal leftover in the fridge we could come home to eat.
I was driving today, and I can't express how thankful I am that even though I did nothing technically wrong, and accidents happen, I am just so thankful my actions didn't harm my DH or son (or anyone else).
@Marlena, Okay. It might be late, but you win. I’m thankful you and yours are safe.
@Marlena, whoa, that is so very very scary. I hope you will be able to sleep tonight. So glad to hear you all escaped intact.
@Marlena, holy cripes! Thats quite the accident to walk away from. Thankful indeed.
I’m thankful that my husband and I are far enough along in the covid experience that we were able to enjoy Thanksgiving (although quarantined.)
I’m very thankful for Paxlovid!
Thankful for…
Friends who show up for a run even when it’s 15 degrees outside
Funny text threads about having friends who also want to watch movies with the subtitles turned on
Zoom calls with family
A big sink for washing casserole dishes
Thankful for:
- in-laws I get along with well, helpful since we’re all sharing a house this week!
- cozy reading time with my daughter this week, both of us on our kindles in a quiet room. So lovely.
- that a friend decided her bday gift to herself this year is starting a book club, and there are 6 of us (all of whom I enjoy and look forward to getting to know better) all set to launch our new book club after the holidays. My library gave me a Skip The Line hold on our book, so I’m all set.
- celebrating Thanksgiving in a warm and sunny locale, where my husband grew up. We’ve done so many winter holidays here with the kids that it feels fun and festive even though it’s not “traditional” winter weather. So much outdoorsy fun to be had this week!
- our very sweet dog who’s tagging along on our fun this week and gives the very best snuggles.
Oh boy do I need to do this exercise right now...
I am grateful for :
* My runaway teen choosing to go towards a safe space (at a friend) for the past 4 days. Knowing where she is and getting news from people who are trying to help even tho she herself refuses to have any contact with us at the moment
* A really great relationship with my second daughter
* Christmas movies. Super cheesy, just how I like them! And Christmas lights (on houses)
* A solid relationship with hubby. Getting through hard times together (my teen) makes it a little... easier?
* A 3 days/week work schedule. I can pick-up more shifts as needed, which I do from time to time.
@Isa, sending good wishes your way and I hope it works out safely - mentally and physically - for all.
@WilliamB, thanks
I'm thankful for:
-Memes and reels! I know they can waste endless time if we're not careful, but I love to laugh and share (within reason) with friends. HAHAHA thank you for that orange/window meme.
-Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday.
-Spending Thanksgiving with some extended family.
-Naps, and time to nap on Thanksgiving break.
-Being able to drink *some* coffee again.
Thankful here for:
--that my husband actually went to the dr where he was told his cough was actually pneumonia, so...
--also thankful for the meds that are now working to make him well
--that our daughter has two fulltime jobs that she loves and can balance both of them
--that we're finally past the heat of late autumn and well on our way to winter
--the happy flexibility that our family has to not worry about thanksgiving (the holiday), and instead just give thanks and be happy to get together whenever we can and help each other out (especially helpful being that the holiday is delayed ((see article 1: pneumonia)))
I love Thankful Thursdays! Thank you for doing this and helping us remember the blessings we have.
I’m thankful for/that …
1) We had family to spend Thanksgiving with and the pressure to host/make the meal off our shoulders. It was a fun and relaxing time together.
2) That God answered my prayer and seem to mend a broken relationship between my nephew in law and his mom.
3) For the ability to have a 3 to 4 way video call on my phone with with Mom in TX, Sis in NY and brother in CA. Also, that iPhone gave me the chance to use FaceTime with my brother who has an Android phone which was not possible until recently a few years ago. So helpful since my mom already has an iPhone and finds it hard to use other chatting services.
4) Time together as a family sledding, drinking hot coco, and playing scrabble together at home on Black Friday.
5) For old and new traditions and our memories of fun times together.
I want you to know that I thought that meme was HILARIOUS! I saw it a few days ago and laughed out loud!
Well, you must share the same sense of humor that Lisey and I do!
Kristen, maybe someone already mentioned this, but for Amazon deliveries I try to give positive feedback to the UPS drivers via the delivery confirmation in the app. It's a hard job I know, so I try to make sure they are acknowledged.
Family…family…family!
They have my heart.