Thankful Thursday | one is bonkers, one is not
This week, I am thankful...
for my cats
They're both so cute.
But one of them is significantly more bonkers on a daily basis.
for kiwis from a friend
One of my local blog readers came into a large quantity of golden kiwis, and she kindly dropped some off for me. So delicious!
Thank you, Kim!
that last summer's snake hasn't shown up again
One of my support group friends found a snake in her basement this week, and that reminded me of the snake that visited my carport twice last summer!
It was a harmless black snake but still, I do not love having a snake hanging around my door in my carport.
So, I'm grateful it's been a snake-free summer here. I've only seen skinks (mostly blue-tailed, but some that are way bigger), and I'd like it to stay that way, please and thank you.
for another session with my dad's air compressor
I took Zoe's black fan over there and blew the dust out with his air compressor.
And this time I remembered to record it, so check back on Instagram/Facebook later today to see the dust fly out of the fan.
for weight-lifting with Sonia
Lately she's been wanting to hit the weights instead of the yoga room at the gym, so we've been practicing our barbell back squats and our deadlifts more faithfully now.
I don't enjoy weight-lifting; I do it strictly for the health benefits. But having a weight-lifting companion makes the process more enjoyable. 🙂
for time to prepare for school
I feel a little bit like I'm nesting. You know how when you're pregnant, you spend the last bit of the pregnancy getting everything clean and organized and prepared, since you know you're gonna be super busy once the baby arrives?
Well, that's how I've felt this summer! I hear nursing school is a crazy busy time, so I've been busy trying to knock out every task possible this summer so that I can go into the school year with my life in order. 😉
for confidence going into nursing school
I know it's not going to be the easiest thing I've ever done. And I know it'll be a lot of work.
BUT...
I'm way more confident than I was at the start of my return to school. At this point, I've got four semesters under my belt as an adult student, so I know I can handle college. My brain is still capable of absorbing knowledge. 😉
Also, it's not like I barely squeaked into nursing school. I was able to get high A's in all of my pre-reqs (even in my much-hated chemistry class), so that makes me feel confident that I can pass nursing classes.
for the timing of the start of school
I could have pushed my timeline and gotten into nursing school sooner, but I opted to wait until Zoe graduated from high school.
And I am so glad I did.
I was able to help her through her last year of high school, I helped her get her driver's license, I helped her get a job, I helped her get a car, I helped her prep for her college placement tests...and while of course I will still be her mom from here on out, she's pretty set up to be independent now.
She can drive. She's got a job. She's now a full-fledged college student. And in less than six months, she's gonna be an official adult!
So, this is the perfect time for me to be a full-fledged college student myself. 🙂
for the way public trails are a great equalizer
I know I've mentioned this before, but I love that public parks and public trails give anyone and everyone access to beautiful parts of nature.
I thought about this especially when I was walking on a waterfront trail this week; what a wonderful thing to be able to enjoy a sunrise view on the water, even when you could never in a million years afford to actually live on the waterfront!
And in the same way, I could never afford to own acres of woods, but thanks to public trails, I'm able to regularly enjoy all that the woods have to offer.
I know it won't be easy, but Kristen, you're going to continue to be so successful in school and as a nurse! It's amazing to see your confidence as you embark on this next adventure!
This week I'm thankful for slightly cooler temperatures. 74 in the morning, as opposed to 78 or 80, feels so much better. As does 90 in the afternoon, instead of 98 with a heat index of over 100. Ahhh.
I'm thankful for a free online Bible study about healthy relationships. It's bringing up some painful memories, but man, it's also giving some validation to my impressions and instincts. And I'm thankful that I'm on the other side, looking back at those things in my life, instead of being in the thick of the rough times.
I'm thankful that my local library had the book that accompanies the Bible study, so that I didn't have to pay for materials. Yay! Libraries rock.
I'm thankful that we're getting our security deposit back from our old rental within a week of the lease ending. It helps a lot with the costs associated with moving!
I'm thankful for mornings, when the darkness turns to light, and I feel so full of hope. It's my favorite time of the day. 🙂
@Brooke, what is the name of the study you are doing? I'd like to pass it on to someone who can use it!
@Brooke, I’m always tbs Kaylor for mornings too - sending you a hug! Sounds like there is much to be thankful for
@Karen, it's called Good Boundaries and Goodbyes, and it's available online through Fauth Gateway (free weekly videos, etc). The book, of the same name, by Lysa TerKeurst, was available in my library. I hope it's helpful!
@Cherie, yes, so much to be thankful for 🙂
I'm thankful for:
- my daughter's dog, which is staying with us for a week. He's such a good pup, and we get the pleasure of having a dog while not actually owning one.
- my cats who are tolerating the dog invasion with minimal fuss. One is not happy, mind, but he is no longer stalking the dog assiduously.
- the adult sized trike we bought for my 10 yr old daughter. She's never wanted to ride a bike, and now that she's just tall enough to fit on this, she's really enjoying it.
- a cooler day after a heat wave. There might be a hint of autumn in the air!
- the pool we belong to was going to close early for construction, but they decided to stay open until Labor day. There is always hot days even after school begins, and going to the pool in the late afternoon is a nice way to cool off.
@mbmom11, i have balance issues and cold never stay on a two wheeler. but my recumbent tricycle is a joy. i hope y our daughter enjoys her trike.
Public parks and trails—just yesterday my youngest said, “I’m thankful for the people who made this land a park!” We crossed a creek (multiple times over) climbed rocks (in the creek and around it), walked on trails, climbed up walls of dirt and stone. It was such a blast.
Thankful:
-for my degree that prepares me for this unexpected season of life. College is expensive and I have not worked full time in my field in quite a while, but it has prepared me well for life right now and I am so thankful for that.
-that the stickiness will go away soon. It was over 80 degrees in my room last night and it’s okay because by this weekend it will be much much cooler in my room at night time.
-the strength of my kids who have done hard things and continue to do hard things with grace.
-for being able to lift. I know it’s not your favorite, Kristen, but I love it. And I started this week after a 4 month hiatus due to exhaustion and stress. It’s good to be back.
@Kaitlin, I too wound up going back to work in a long neglected field and while I’d still prefer not to do it I am so grateful for the option to do more professional work! Wishing you an early cool down
What a blessing to have a career to fall back on! I'm so glad for you.
And yay for getting back to weight-lifting! I took a pretty big break when I left my marriage...I needed quite a few months of just walking, as that's all I could manage for a while.
You have so many beautiful trails! I’m super jealous of how easy it is for you to hike. I live on the outskirts of a little city (population around 60,000) in a rural area of the mid Atlantic (so much open land and many forests are around) and I have to drive 20-30 minutes to get to a good trail. The nicest one is across a state line and since I’m not a resident of the state I have to pay $8 to hike it each time I go. (There are a few closer ones but the homeless people have set up tarps and tents in the woods and leave all sorts of garbage strewn along them).
My brother lived in the Baltimore/Annapolis area for a while when he was stationed there with the coast guard and every time we visited they had discovered a new fun trail. My sister lives in Maine and they have sooooooo many shared lands and public access trails.
Anyhow. I love seeing all your trail hiking photos. It makes me happy that these places exist.
- My pet rats. They are so cute, funny and loving
- The support of my friends
- My stable job (and the salary that comes with it)
- Cool days
@Steph, We have pet rats too and I agree! They are so lovable and do funny! Our whole family adores them. It's fun to see someone else with the same pets!
My biggest thankful item this week is that my eye surgeries went super well. Talk about a medical miracle! Actually, two medical miracles! I had been very nearsighted since I was 12 years old in the sixth grade and have had to wear glasses or contacts all that time. I used to joke "I can't see past the end of my nose, so it's a good thing I have a big nose." The first part of that sentence was the absolute truth. Monday I had my larger cataract removed via laser surgery, and yesterday they did the same to my not-so-terrible cataract in the other eye. The former took a day to clear up but the second one healed almost immediately. My distance vision is now very sharp; as the nurse predicted, my world is now in "HD" (high definition, like an HD television.) The laser surgery not only was in my town, but the doctor's office and surgery center had everything well organized and down to a fine art. (Thank you, Dr. Swann and staff!) Even more amazing, the actual procedure didn't take more than about 10 or 12 minutes and I was able to hold still despite a "thing" (machine) hovering over my eye. I'm told my vision will improve over the next few days; but it is super wonderful right now. I can see the clock from across the room without wearing glasses. Ditto, the slats on the mini-blinds and the pattern on the lamp shade. (Prior to this, they were just blurs until I put on my eyeglasses.) I can't tell you how thankful and thrilled I am that this incredible technology exists. (I strongly suspect that the mischievous students on the back rows of the classrooms where I substitute teach won't be quite as thankful/thrilled, however. Not when I can clearly see what they're up to! LOL!)
Also thankful to my many friends who acted as chauffeurs to take me to all the different eye appointments; you're not allowed to drive yourself. And for all who prayed for me.
Tuesday, I not only had the followup appointment from my first cataract surgery but also had a CT scan to followup on last year's cancer. (I had a robotic hysterectomy last Sept. 1 and am given a scan every three months or so. Just to make sure no cancer was left behind.) I am thankful I could get the scan in my town. Also thankful they got the results back to me first thing Wednesday morning -- and even more thankful that I got a clean bill of health!
@Fru-gal Lisa, So glad your eye surgery went well
@Fru-gal Lisa, congratulations on the successful eye surgeries. I'll probably be having my cataracts done in the not too distant future.
@Fru-gal Lisa, Great news about your eye surgeries and your scan! Like A.Marie, I'll be needing cataract surgery one of these days so it's a special thrill to think that who knows...afterwards, maybe I won't need to put on glasses to see the clock, woo hoo!
@Fru-gal Lisa, Yay! Cataract surgery really is life changing in many ways. I asked my eye surgeon "Who figured out this was possible?" and it turns out, although they had been working on it for decades (even centuries), World War II RAF pilots provided the clue:
"The incredible success of cataract surgery would not have been possible without the development of intraocular lenses (IOL). In 1949 Sir Harold Ridley, a British ophthalmologist, implanted the first IOL. Prior to the introduction of IOLs, patients were aphakic (without a lens) after cataract surgery. Postoperatively the aphakic patient required high-powered hyperopic spectacles to be able to refract light and focus images on the retina. This meant that a patient who was losing vision due to a cloudy lens would have cataract surgery, only to find that, without correction, vision remained poor due to the absence of the lens. A medical student working with Ridley was reported to have asked, Why not replace the cataractous lens with a clear lens? Sir Harold Ridley realized that wounded World War II pilots tolerated plastic pieces of shattered airplane windshields in their anterior chambers, and this observation encouraged him to implant an IOL made of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), also known as acrylic glass." NIH/National Library of Medicine/The Evolution of Cataract Surgery.
And, of course, there have been many more improvements since then. And aren't we thankful (on this Thankful Thursday!) to be living at a time when this is possible.
@Fru-gal Lisa, last Friday I had my 2nd cataract surgery. And I am right there with you in thinking this is a miracle surgery.
My older sister who also had the surgeries said we are working ourselves to death to just stay healthy. And everything continues to slide down but along comes eye cataract surgery and you eyes are so much better.
Also I had robotic hysterectomy last September and like you they found no cancer. That also was a big thankful thing.
You are never alone.
@JDinNM, thank you for that interesting information.
One other thing, my doctor told me our lens yellows as we age. Since I had 2 years between my surgeries I would close one eye and look at something, then close the other eye. What a difference in tones I saw. Amazing!
@Fru-gal Lisa, I was probably severely near sighted my entire life but it was not discovered until I was 9 and seated myself in the back of the classroom away from our awful teacher that year. It caused me to develop early cataracts, which were fixed a few years ago. It's still a daily dose of wonder to open my eyes in the morning and read the time on the clock across the bedroom. Before surgery, I could barely locate the clock.
@Fru-gal Lisa,
I cannot tell you how thrilled I am for you!
My vision had gotten so bad, I was not allowed to drive. I had both cataracts removed last year - I was dumbfounded in the results. I now drive without glasses, but wear reading glasses.
It’s hard to explain the joy unless you’ve been through the surgery.
@Fru-gal Lisa, Thank you for reminding me of how thrilled I was when I went from Coke bottle glasses and sitting in the front row of every performance to 20/20 vision. I was telling my husband your story and he reminded me that for about a week, my new eyes made me hyper-critical. As in, "How come this shower grout is so dirty?" and "Did you know we had so many scratches in the front door?" and, "Where did all these wrinkles on my neck come from?"
@JDinNM, this information is so interesting. In 1959, my father ( at age 40) had cataract surgery in both eyes. As you described, he had to wear super-thick, special glasses the rest of his life ( he died at 102). When his glasses became extremely scratched, the ophthalmologist said that type of lenses was no longer made so he suffered many years with poor vision.
I’ve worn glasses since I was 18 months old. I’m just starting with beginning stages of cataracts. I don’t look forward to having surgery and yet, I am so thankful for medical advances that make it possible for us to see more clearly. I’m thankful, too, for people who are gifted and skilled in the medical field.
@Fru-gal Lisa, hooray for all this good medical news!
@Fru-gal Lisa, I’m so glad you got good news about your CT scan and that your cataract surgery has been so successful! We have a few friends who proclaim the wonders of this type of surgery and how it has improved their quality of life.
@Martha, If you have to have any surgery, this surgery is the one to have! I was amazed at how quick and painless it was and how quickly I could "see" the excellent results (pun intended!). And although they used to tell patients to wait longer, I think they now realize that it's "the sooner the better" for cataract surgery.
@Martha,
My great-aunt had cataract surgery when it was still a fairly new surgery, and she had to wear dark glasses, even indoors, for the rest of her life. She could see, but not really well. How different it is today!
My DH had cataract surgery but they didn't give him a lens for astigmatism for some reason, and refused to correct it unless we paid for the second surgery out of pocket, which DH refused to do. He still has to wear glasses and can't see detail close up, which he used to be able to do (he was very nearsighted). So a note of caution, if you have astigmatism, ask what kind of lenses you will get!
As an aside, my great-aunt's dark glasses were how most non-family people distinguished my great-aunt from my grandmother, since they were identical twins.
@JDinNM,
Wow!
Thanks for that fascinating information!
I am an avid reader of history, including medical history and WWII history, but I had no idea about that!
A local doctor once put on a "medical history of the Civil War" exhibit at the local hospital. He said that one of the (few) good benefits of war is that it causes medical science to advance a lot more and a lot faster than in peacetime.
Here is yet another example of that!
@Ruby, Same here, about the clock.
I had an awful 4th grade teacher but we did not get to choose our seats, she assigned them.
@Martha, JDinNM is 100% correct, IMHO.
@JD,
I am in the United States, and I had to pay out of pocket for the premium corrective lenses. Medicare will pay for replacement cataract lenses that do not correct your vision. I decided this is not only a quality of life issue but also a safety thing, as it would possibly prevent me from tripping and falling IMO. So I got some $$$$$$ out of my retirement fund and paid the extra costs. Am I happy that I did so? Yes and no. Yes, I'm thrilled I can see so well; it was worth every penny. But at the same time, I am FURIOUS that Medicare does not cover my corrective cataract lenses/astigmatism correction. The federal government wastes money on all kinds of things (undeserved perks and pay raises for elected officials, tax breaks for billionaires, bribes to overseas dictators, boondoogles, etc.) and pays for medical treatment of people who are not even supposed to be in this country at all, so IMHO it ought to pay for the full medical costs for law-abiding citizens/taxpayers. Grrrr!!!!!
@Fru-gal Lisa, agree until that last uncompassionate bit. I’m not here to argue so won’t say more. I hope this blog & responses don’t go the way some of my former favorites have gone, getting off topic into politics and so forth. I’m here for frugality, friendship, helpfulness…stuff like that- not for unkind, judgmental stuff. Hope you understand. And Kristen, feel free to comment or delete this if you think you should.
@Fru-gal Lisa, congrats. 11 years ago, i had cataract surgery. wore glasses since i was 3. on my way up the hill to high school the kids going down the hill to catholic school said to me your glasses look like coke bottles. now i only wear sunglasses outside. i have the same ray bans jackie onanasis wore. the frame is called jackie o. had to wait six weeks between when the first eye was done and then the second. enjoy. am very happy for you.
@Suz, my eye dr told me not to worry i will see the alarm clock. i told her i can't see it so that will be a big plus. good luck. don't worry you will be fine.
@JDinNM,
Absolutely fascinating, thank you. I also need cataract surgery. I bought a 55”TV because I thought it would be clearer then my much smaller one. Alas, the eye doctor said my blurry vision will remain until I save up for the surgery. I can hardly wait and it is a modern miracle in my opinion.
I feel the same way about public libraries as you do about public trails, Kristen (and I know you get that too 😉 - although I’m in school library world now, I am known to wax poetic about public libraries being one of the few last bastions of democracy!
And I love what you said about nesting before school. I’m so fortunate to have flexible time in the summer as a teacher, but I’ve been feeling very restless lately, so I went to school yesterday. I got a ton of work done and my space organized, so I’m now feeling much better about the world.
And I’m so pleased for you, Lisa, that your surgery went so well! How amazing and well deserved. I hope you have us much fun with your newfound sight as I did with my hearing after surgery for a BAHA implant - some of the kids think I have super powers when I hear an F-bomb being whispered at the back of the library LOL
@Shelagh, I'm a substitute teacher, and I imagine some of the mischief-makers on the back rows are not going to be as thrilled with my newfound 20/20 distance vision as I am. ROTFL!
I'm thankful
- that we get to go on vacation next week with our adult children
- that we will get to visit with my husband's niece and her family while we are on vacation
- for our dog. She's a silly ball of energy but I love having her around
- that we found a pet sitter that we believe will take great care of our dog while we are on vacation
- that our son is finishing up his first semester after going back to school and seems to be doing well and liking it so far
Well let's see ...
For Pikmin 4. It's a game that I can be absolutely sucked into and can forget the outside world for a change. No politics. No social issues. No big overarching "the world is changing" plot that's forced into everything now etc. It's nothing but some problem solving and real time strategy.
For being married to a woman who is not anti-video game (and is actually into them a bit herself!) I've known some people whose girlfriends or wives will nag on them endlessly for playing video games as a form of entertainment but think nothing of watching hours of reality TV or endlessly scrolling Instagram or Twitter.
For being in a good financial place for when some changes happen.
For some cool and dry(!) days so that I could get all the laundry done and hung outside. I know some people do not liking line drying clothes but I really like it. I also own a lot of things that cannot go in the dryer.
How I relate to the nesting - I feel very much the same at the moment because I have a little autumn/winter dip every year. Doing chores now, so future me will not be overwhelmed.
Feeling thankful for
*Knowing myself so much better than when I was younger. And knowing my husband so much better as well. Learning how to accomodate those parts where our temperaments and energies are different;
*Great colleagues that help me when I get stuck and that I can have laughs with;
*Losing 2 inches on my waist. I am told that waist size is the new Little Black Dress of health
Kristen, I'm having a problem with the comment area today: Every time I stop typing and go back to try to fix a typo, it freezes up and won't let me keep working. I've lost two comments already this morning. So I'm just going to type as fast as I can here, not stop, and hope I get this one in.
First, I'm very thankful to the friends and neighbors who turned out for NDN's garden cleanup on Monday (see Tuesday's FFT).
I'm also thankful for cooler weather, which has made work in all our gardens much more pleasant.
And I'm thankful to whoever donated those eight small to medium-sized handmade, signed, dated baskets (brand names include Longaberger, The Workshop of Gerald E. Henn, and 19th Century Handmade Baskets) to my Salvation Army superstore. I snapped up the lot for $19 on Tuesday--my best thrift score for ages. I'm keeping three or four of them and will use the others for either resale or gift giving.
Oh man, I'm so sorry to hear of this. Anyone else? And let me know if it keeps happening for you!
This week I'm thankful:
*To be able to enjoy August without a job
*That I have a chat/interview on Monday. I reached out to the owner of a local business and she said, "You're so good at what you do. Can we meet?"
*For my talented, smart, funny and gorgeous-looking kids
*Re-reading old favorite books
*That I can reap some of the rewards of all the hard work and hard times of the past ten years.
@Rose, you enjoy your much-needed break. Goodness knows you deserve it.
What a bizarre fan/air compressor coincidence! Because I was going to say I was thankful for Kristen’s earlier posts on 2 seemingly unrelated topics:
#1 Using an air compressor to clean out all the dust etc. from her newly acquired floor fans. I so needed to do that with my three floor fans and a couple of table fans.
So I thought … I guess I need to buy an air compressor.
But, NO!
#2 A while ago Kristen recommended a portable car air compressor/tire inflator that I thought sounded like a great, and very economical, tool to have in the trunk of the car. So I ordered one for the exorbitant sum of $17.98 (and free shipping).
So … I already had an air compressor! Kristen to the rescue! Not once but twice!
Maybe thrice after this morning's post...
Thankful my niece (and goddaughter) took charge of reserving (and paying for) two tickets to Barbie this Sunday afternoon. Not too thankful she likes to sit in the very top row in movie theaters, but the exercise will be good for me. She has a very adverse reaction to the sound of people sitting directly behind her chewing popcorn in her ear. So if sitting in the topmost seat keeps her from gritting her teeth all through the movie, so be it. Come to think of it, this may be why she and I are going to the movie together this Sunday afternoon, while her sister and mother (my sister) are going to a weekday afternoon matinee (probably so they can sit in the middle of the theater).
And I will take her to her favorite fancy schmancy restaurant for brunch the following Sunday, which is just a couple of days before her birthday. I talk and text with her on the regular but work and other scheduling issues keep us from getting together in person as often as we would like. Barbie (and birthday) to the rescue!
Ooh, what a good idea to use the tire pump for this purpose. I will remember that next time!
@Kristen, I was gifted a leaf blower by a handyman who rebuilt my back patio a few years ago but the thing is SO strong I hesitated to use that on the fans. Had a feeling I'd cause more problems than I solved ... not an unlikely result from many of my home "improvement" projects.
This week I'm thankful:
*that my schedule shifted a little so that I could go to a friend's medical appointment with her.
*for somebody else changing a date of an event. While I really, really want to go, now I can't. August is so busy that I needed an open day. I'll still be able to go to my destination at some point in the future. I'm not really missing out too much.
*that my husband will be coming home tomorrow! He's been gone for a week now (to a convention), and I'm really missing him.
*for a producing garden.
*that my daughter is old enough to babysit her siblings. We've been going in all directions, and I've really needed that extra help.
*that my girls had a successful craft sale.
*for a gift of beef. I love beef.
*that my niece is bringing herself and her children for a visit this evening. I'm super-excited about this! (We're making homemade pizza, and I'm thankful for that, too.)
*for coffee, air conditioning, sight, the ability to walk, National Night Out (free pony rides for my kids!), garden tomatoes, pretty ponytails, my in-laws, my father, books, weeds/wildflowers, ugly/cute chicks (not tiny anymore), my car (yes, ours...but mine ;), AND the prospects of homegrown melons.
Thankfulness
1. Someone mentioned this before and when I read it, I was in total agreement. Ice for ice water. I managed to mostly kick my Diet Coke love by having ice water available to me most of the time. That, in conjunction with my Yeti cup that I make sure to fill up if I'm leaving the house, were game changers in helping me to stop buying Diet Coke.
2. Lunch hours. I work 8-5 with an hour lunch and sometimes I use that time to read a book; sometimes I use it to get shopping done; sometimes I use it to work out. I get the choice of what I do and where I go, depending on how I'm feeling that day.
3. My cat Jitterbug. He's entertaining and greets me at the door every night when I get home. Sometimes he snuggles, but mostly he's just a ball of energy that wants to play with everything.
4. My step-dad, who has faith that I can do hard things. Even when I'm not sure I can.
5. Airpods. I love, love, love that I'm not connected by a cord to my iphone. I listen to a lot of books on tape and to be able to set my phone down and do dishes or housework or even go for a walk without worrying about the length of my cord or getting it caught on things. So nice!
@Angel,
What a great name for a cat!
I am sadly still attached to my diet Coke - I try to lessen what I drink but it always creeps up. I'm hoping to bring my consumption back down in the fall. Cooler weather means I can sub in black tea. However, I don't ever give it up totally. A cold diet Coke from McDonald's is the best on a hot day. I wish ice water did the trick, but I think my sweet tooth wants that hit!
@mbmom11, Oooooo, the McDonald's Diet Coke. It's my favorite and so much better than any other. I worked there and I still don't know the secret. I would never turn down one of those!!
@Angel,
I remember my brother (who worked for Pepsi for many years) told me once he would get himself a Coke (just regular, not Diet) from McD's for a treat; he specifically said the Coke products there are so much better than Coke products at any other fast food place. He had to do it on the sly because Pepsi didn't like their employees "supporting the competition" or something, but he admitted to me he liked the taste of Coke better than Pepsi. (Still, he was a very dedicated worker for his company). Like you and mbmom, we both wondered why McD's Cokes tasted so much better.
@mbmom11,
You're like me. I would like water a whole lot more if it tasted like Dr Pepper, LOL!
@Angel,
I agree with you about bluetooth headphones. I love to listen to audiobooks when doing chores in the kitchen and headphone cords always get caught on handles and knobs.
Last week I used a Mother’s Day gift card to get a facial. The best part was the facial was done by a friend from college that I haven’t seen in years. We’ve stayed in touch over Facebook but it was a treat to catch up in person and give each other lots of hugs!
My son’s hard work paid off and he made the top team this year. He made the B team last year but was promoted to the A team halfway through the year. He was feeling confident going into tryouts but still put in his best effort. He’s really proud of himself and is excited for the year to come. As a mom it feels amazing seeing your kid so proud of themselves.
I am so thankful for air conditioning. It’s been so hot and sticky this summer. I know air conditioning is not a necessity but I’m so much more comfortable working from home and cooking dinner when it’s cooler in the house.
I’m thankful that I’m seeing some non-scale victories because it feels like the scale isn’t moving. I was able to get into a pair of pants that had been much too snug AND I received a compliment on my outfit that day. I needed the reminder that the scale isn’t always going to reflect my weight loss journey.
I'm thankful for the abundance of mini tomatoes. For mother's day my SIL gives me large potted tomato plants (per my request) and the two plants are really producing this year.
I'm thankful for cooler weather this week. It has been pleasant out every day and I sat outside every day, either reading or visiting with friends.
I'm thankful for Freecycle. I was able to use it this week to keep many items out of the landfill.
I'm thankful for kind and considerate family members.
I'm thankful for a good nights sleep.
* Very thankful for my Buy Nothing group. I give a lot and I receive a lot in return. Just this week, I got a pair of rain boots, a winter coat and a backpack, all truly needed for my daughter
* Having the means to get private care. I need a surgery that has a minimum of 3 years wait in the public system. Private? 5 weeks. Yes, it will be expensive, but being frugal permits this.
* That my little Morkie (dog) loves to be with us and to sit on us, I love how cuddly she is! At 6 pounds she's a tiny cutie pie!
* To be on vacation next week and having a fun week-end away planned with hubby and the kids
* To be high enought on the seniority list at work to get all the shifts I need.
-RAIN! Haven't had a significant amount of rain in 2-3 months & we have gotten some the last 2 days. Not soon enough for the corn but hopefully will help soybeans.
-Encouraging friends.
-Neurologist appointment for husband. Only had to call twice to get scheduled.
-God & faith that he is in control of everything even though sometimes it feels like 1 step forward & 3 back.
-Vacation Bible School & that I can stay in the kitchen & work on the meal served to 200+ people each evening.
I'm not too thankful for some of those wild vines - they keep taking over my shrubs and fences. But I'm fine with them if they behave and stay in the woods.
1. I'm thankful that we only (ha) have about three months left of hot weather. We've had so many heat advisories. I'm already sick of high heat and humidity. But at least we are over the hump of summer.
2. I'm thankful that my daughter and granddaughter were able to make the trip this week from Florida to Tennessee to see my daughter's lifelong (since they were less than a year old) friend, whose military husband was finally stationed within one day's driving distance of their native state of Florida. This sure beats the years they lived in Kansas, Washington state and California.
3. I'm thankful that the summer squash is off its mini-hiatus and producing again.
4. With fall approaching - eventually - I'm very thankful for that gallon of maple syrup my daughter gave me.
5. I'm thankful that my neighbor voluntarily cleared saplings from my back fence. I had cut back what I could and was going to have to pay the yard crew to finish up.
1. For the zinnias planted outside my bedroom window. This is where I have my desk and throughout the day I can see all the beautiful butterflies and hummingbirds coming to the flowers and buzzing around. This is is much better than my view when I am in the office of a parking lot and highway with noise and traffic.
2. For my dogs! I have two boxers and when I let them out this morning they went nuts barking. Turns out they had cornered a large armadillo which had been making burrows under our home. Since this can damage the foundation of our home, we wanted to be rid of this fellow and had booked a service to trap him that would cost us $500 +. The dogs cornered him and my husband gave him a lovely little send off. I know this may not be popular but it saved us a large sum and I am grateful. Extra table scraps for the dogs today!
3. School is back in session and I could not be more delighted . My son loves his new teacher, I have calm, quiet to get work done in, we are back to a lovely routine and our home is very organized as I wanted to be well prepared for this time. I love the clean slate that is 'Back to School'!
4. For the pumpkins growing in my garden. The gardens are producing well but I have never grown pumpkins before and I have more than I ever imagined that I would. I am SO excited about these!
5. Inches lost and a scale that continues to go down. Feeling so energetic and good in my workouts. Eating a clean, whole diet. Feeling really good in my skin. I am in the middle of my journey and still have another 30 lbs to go - for those of you in the beginning stage...don't give up!! It does get easier, less painful and you will feel better. I am so grateful that I pushed and continue to push through the pain and frustration of a journey to Health.
@Angie, I'm thankful for your #2. I sometimes forget to censor my stories to my family in Urban America, and am taken aback by their shock at what we consider normal. It's always nice to hear of other people who feed their dogs so well. 🙂
@kristin @ going country, country life is just the best 🙂
@Angie, just not for the armadillo.
Today I am thankful for homegrown tomatoes, the possibility of rain after a long dry spell, for a treatment plan that's greatly helped my arthritis, our oldest dog as her life winds down, and my sweet family, always.
@Ruby, "Just two things that money can't buy: True love and homegrown tomatoes!"
Thankful for my new puppy. Mom and I hit the road and drove for 16 hours and it was a super fun day. She is a herding dog and is already working with the cattle, but she is closer in size to the cats...they are not thrilled with being herded. Ha!
Thankful for the sweet neighbors who threw me a birthday party.
Next day took the pup to the beach, she was so cute in her hot pink halter, was not a fan of the crashing waves and I ended up carrying her for 3 1/2 miles. So funny.
Thankful it is watermelon season. When we were driving thru a prolific watermelon growing area we filled up the back of the pickup with watermelons to share back in the valley, kinda felt like the Easter bunny.
Thankful for a great blueberry season. Was able to freeze 5 gallons this year, plus eat all that we wanted fresh.
@Blue Gate Farmgirl, Happy (belated) Birthday! Watermelons, blueberries and ... a NEW PUPPY! What more could a girl ask for? Sounds like heaven on earth to me.
I am thankful for the time to "nest" as well. I've been cleaning thoroughly and rearranging furniture just to keep things fresh and it is such a joy. I also notice I don't need or want to purchase more things for my house when it is rearranged and clean!
I am thankful for my regular walks in nature as well. I am very lucky to have beautiful nature preserves close by and even my neighborhood has interesting things to notice.
I am thankful for the time to focus on developing new habits while changing some bad ones. I've got time to journal about the reasons why I want to change some things about my behaviors and keeping track of habit building has been very eyeopening.
Of course, coffee, and enjoying that will be a habit I will never give up.
Karen
I am also grateful for public places in nature.We spent a nice morning at the Salt River,swimming in the icy cold water for a nice break.
Grateful for a full refrig and freezer.Many are going hungry in America 🙁
Grateful for healing, in a family member who has been quite ill.
Grateful I am over the ‘covid” hump— it has taken me one full month to get my energy back after I caught covid while traveling. The covid itself made me very sick for about 5 days but the FATIGUE was overwhelming for one whole month.I was able to ride my bike half and hour this morning,finally.
Grateful for.. summer.I like summer!!
I love your point about public parks being a great equalizer.
This week I'm thankful:
* for my parents. Last night my dad helped my husband learn how to golf for an upcoming fundraiser through work. Today my dad's having a heart cath done. Yesterday my mom stopped by and it was just so nice to see her. My parents are great and I'm glad they live nearby.
* for cherries. And coffee. And Mackinaw Island fudge.
* for how supportive my husband is to me.
* for audiobooks.
* for friends. Man, I really do have some great friends and I know that is a huge gift.
I am thankful that my husband returned from his backpacking trip safe and sound. They had to dramatically change their route due to snow and ice and I am really glad they made those choices.
I am thankful for modern medicine and the pills that are helping me keep food down during pregnancy.
I am thankful for cooler weather. We have a break from the 100s forecasted.
I am thankful that the community pool is staying open for lap swim in August and September.
I am thankful to live within walking distance of "uptown." There are interesting people to meet on my evening walks.
I'm thankful to be back at the gym after a long stint of PT
Thankful that 1 zucchini made 4 batches of muffins. My husband was able to take some to his co-workers today and I will freeze the rest so he has 1 a day with his coffee. I still have 1 really large zucchini to use and more are growing. And we only planted 1 zucchini plant!
Thankful for a co-worker of my husband's who gifted us with 2 dozen fresh eggs. I used 8 in the zucchini muffins and hard boiled another 8 and made some egg salad. I still have 8 left over because we had some eggs to begin with. Hoping to use them all by the time we leave for our 2-week vacation next week.
Thankful that my husband makes a full pot of coffee in the AM. I usually have 2 cups hot and then save the rest to have an iced coffee in the afternoon.
Thankful I am learning how to use my cup/mug press to make coffee mugs. I made my girlfriend an aluminum can holder, but was told my mug press is not made to work on anything else but ceramic mugs. Luckily I tried it this AM and it still works. Here's hoping it continues to work.
Thankful for my husband dragging this butt out to bike ride. Our vacation will consist of a lot of bike riding and he has been getting me out there to ride. This past Sunday, he let me sleep in an extra hour and then we went to the trail -- 27 miles! 119 total for the month of July. My legs feel up to the challenge!
I’m thankful that my much dreaded dental surgery went well. Recovering now and hopefully no complications.
Thankful that I was able to get a few erroneous medical bills straightened out. I don’t owe the money, but the bills kept coming.
Thankful for the cooler weather in my town. It was so hot last week.
Thankful that my backyard neighbor has hired an arborist to see to the big dying elm tree that hangs over my yard. It will be sad to see it go, but it’s been in decline for over 10 years.
Thankful for:
1. My GP, who coordinates my other doctors and has been known to call me at home to discuss health issues. Saw her yesterday and she said there was no problem with us going on our 10 week Last Hurrah trip (leaving Sunday!) and gave me enough meds to see me through.
2. Our neighbor, who is willing to cut our lawn while we are gone. There is usually snow in September, so it won't be for more than about a month I think.
3. Another victory over the insurance company, to cover a test that I have had before---SEVEN years ago. When I get off the phone with these people, my husband always laughs and says, "You are so much more civil to them than you are in real life." I try not to abuse the poor person who has to parrot the rules to me with no control over making those rules.
4. I am sure I have said this before, but I am eternally grateful that our hospital is a non-profit enterprise and my cardiologist can spend as much time as he needs to with each patient; there is no minimum number of people he has to see. More than once he has spent an hour with me. (Wow, I just realized how many medical type things are on my thankful list this week! Tells you how old I am.)
5. For this set of mystery shops where I have to buy Pepsi or Coke each time I do them, which is about once a month. We no longer buy those colas, but I still miss them and look forward to getting a freebie as an excuse to indulge.
@Lindsey, Bon voyage! Hope you have a delightful trip. Can we count on you to tell us all about it (during or after)? I hate to think of us going 10 long weeks without a post from you. :-{
I hope you can check in with us, Lindsey!!
@Lindsey, I still remember the time I posted a Friday morning WIS/WIA with $0 spent for the week, and after I patted myself on the back for that Kristen chimed in with "Well, you know, Lindsey actually MAKES money shopping for groceries!" This can be such a tough crowd...
Not many of us can reach Lindsey's level of grocery shopping expertise, me included! lol
@Lindsey, yes indeed, please send us some reports from the road trip if you can!
@Lindsey, regarding number three. I do the same thing, I often find myself saying, "This isn't YOUR fault, but the next time you're in a meeting please mention to management that this particular policy is a poor one."
Very thankful for the rain we received yesterday and the overcast sky today with possibility of more rain today keeping me inside to do some cooking/baking and much needed cleaning.
Thankful for seasonal cut flowers. They make me want to make the house clean and tidy.
Thankful for the produce from my garden and although I can't keep up with the cukes and peppers, I can share. Also thankful for seasonal fruits and vegetables. GERD keeps me from enjoying as many tomatoes as I'd like, but thankful that moderation allows me to enjoy some of them. Not a fan of low acid tomatoes. To me they are low on flavor.
Thankful that I have seen a monarch and a black butterfly (that was not close enough to identify) in my yard. Have also seen a variety of bees and wasps which make my heart happy that I have planted native wildflowers to promote them. Thankful my neighbors do not complain about the wild appearance of my yard. The rain was an immense help as even the hardiest natives were looking a little stressed.
Very thankful JDinNM pointed me to Direct Food Supply for moderately priced Tazo Chai Concentrate. It took a while to get the order through, but was successful yesterday and received it today! Thank you!
@Chrissy, I'm so happy that worked for you! It was such a fluke I even found out them (while I was looking for my Tazo English Breakfast Tea at a decent price), so I'm glad to spread the word.
@JDinNM, "found out about them" -- geesh.
Good for you to prep deliberately for nursing school. My adult students had many advantages over traditional students, and you do too. You are much better at time management, and you can focus more effectively. You can assign priorities and stick with your decisions. And, sadly for some types of instructors, you can sort out the worthwhile from the busywork assignments. That all has little to do with what exactly you are learning!
Thankful me:
For my supportive medical team.
For my efficient, air conditioned kitchen.
For my beautiful husband.
For my friends in church.
For our new interim pastor, who brings a sense of humor to his sermons.
Yes, I have definitely noticed some benefits to being an adult student!
Your trails are beautiful Kristen! I'm happy for you! Nursing school is going to be a manageable challenge and I know there will be patients so grateful you went through the effort.
Today I'm thankful for
1. having a brief few weeks with all my kids at home - my eldest just moved back home from manhattan to spent a respite finishing her dissertation, and my youngest leaves for college again mid month - but it's been nice!
2. the gorgeous summer weather that has left sweltering for a little while - I can even bake again!
3. for the beach - Friday is always a beach day barring rain
4. for the aldi on the way to my in laws' lake house - we brought a dozen young folks with us and I was able to feed them all for several days without breaking the bank [and boy can 20 somethings clean up when you give them free meals!]. We're planning a return trip and I know where I'll be stopping on the way.
5. A negative verdict on my lyme disease tests [because when we tried our local trails I came home with a passenger] and a doctor who explained the conflicting results to me in a way that made sense
This week I’m thankful for hearing about a local theatre showing a new rendition of “ The Hiding Place.” My husband, daughter and I will see that tonight.
I’m thankful for two concerts we’ve acquired tickets for… my husband and I really enjoy these getaways.
I’m so grateful for measurable progress in sorting/ cleaning/ organizing some areas of our home. I feel like we’re constantly playing a life-size “ 15 Puzzle” where we have to move this thing first to make space for the next thing that really doesn’t belong there but for now it will stay there… temporarily until another space opens up. In the end, all the numbers are in order, 1-15. I’m not sure we’ll ever reach that perfect order but hope springs eternal. And I’m thankful we’re starting to see progress in downsizing.
I’m grateful for our pup, Wally; for visits with our grandson; for good friends; for good books; for good health.
My cat loves to wear clothes. Most cats don’t. And you can’t make a cat wear clothes if they don’t want to. They will wiggle and squirm and do flips and yell until they get them off. I learned she liked clothes when I got her a thunder shirt to help with her fear of firework noise. She did not want to take it off. Goodwill bins have tons of baby clothes. I found a little pink T-shirt with a picture of a cat that says “Are You Kitten Me?”. I bought it with some other things, washed it and she’s wearing it now. So happy and content curled up on a pillow by the window. She wears a size 0-3 months and I think she’s thankful. >^..^<
Had to laugh at Kirsten eating kiwis. In NZ kiwis are our native protected bird ( brown and furry which is how kiwifruit were named) so we always refer to kiwifruit. A kiwi would be unpleasant to eat even for goingcountry Kirsten.
Meanwhile I’m thankful that my father’s surgery went well. He is 87 and had a fall resulting in a severe ankle fracture but is now recovering with screw/plate tibia/ankle op.
Grateful for a large family - my sister who accompanied my mother to the hospital, doctor nephew and wife who left their baby with other family to come and sit with my dad until the surgery happened, another sister who drove my mum home and offered to stay with her.
That whilst my father faces six weeks off his feet and ongoing physio - all of his hospitalisation etc is free, the benefits of the welfare state.
For sunshine, it has rained so much this year every sunny day is a blessing.
For modern appliances - washing machine, dishwasher , I like to spend the least time possible on housework and am grateful for any time saving devices.
For the opportunity to catch up for brunch with a friend - it’s third time lucky as we both so busy and I’m really looking forward to it.
@Chris in NZ, thank you for enlightening us as to why kiwi(fruit) is named after a bird. I've always wondered.
Thankful:
That it is Thursday.
The kids are coming home for the weekend.
My boss is SO understanding with last minute appointments.
That dad's house had the appraisal done and we can schedule closing.
For technology. My Apple watch & my BP monitor found an issue.
For my new tires, yep love them, as much as you could love a tire.
For the dealership that replaced a missing part for free with said tires.
last aug my mother-in-law was diagnosed with leukemia. she was told if she had not been treated, she only would have lived two weeks. one year later she is still around and her cancer is under control. what a blessing. until the cancer she had no maintenance meds.
i've had maintenance meds since my twenties. but thanks to my diabetic specialist i am being taken off some stuff. what a blessing. and in my chart it says diabetic 2o+ years no complications.
kristen you will whiz through nursing school and do so well your teachers will be amazed. not long now. i hope you continue our community but .....
two cats, way better than one!!!!! i hope they are becoming friends. when i introduced one cat to another a million years ago, there was WW3. but after 2 weeks they grudgingly accepted each other. my vet neutered the newcomer on my dining room table for $15. he made house calls. a long time ago in brooklyn, ny. he doesn't make house calls to manhattan but he is still practicing from a brick and mortar animal hospital.
I am thankful for a wonderful vacation with extended family, for my cuddly youngest who still loves being in Mama's lap, and for my sister who has been trying to get pregnant for so long and now is expecting. So excited to be an auntie again!
I needed this today. It's my last day of maternity leave and I have been feeling very sad about returning to work and being away from my baby. But this exercise has helped me reframe to focus on the really amazing time I was able to spend with him. And I enjoyed extra baby snuggles today and just let the dishes pile up. ❤️
As a retired RN MSN and a long career in different aspects of nursing (which is why nursing is so great with so many options) and having taught nursing at the classroom and clinical levels I want to encourage you that you will do great but it is a life altering career. The old adage to take one step at a time is apropos. Some days who will go home in an exhilarated mood and other days you will feel like quitting. Don't give up-the reward at the end is worth it and you're going to make a difference in others’ lives. I just celebrated my 50Th nursing school reunion and as I had been senior class president was asked to speak. Looking back over all those years I decided to focus on an aspect of nursing that is very important-reflective listening. If you can really hear and understand the needs of the patient you will excel in the other aspects of nursing. Just like our children desire to be heard and understood (and you have the benefit of being a mother which many of the younger students do not have) so patients desire to be more than just a body that procedures are performed on.
Some of my older students would complain about how old they would be when they graduated. I would respond with, “How old would you be in two or more years if you didn’t complete the program?” Of course, they would be the same age! So, hang in there and enjoy the ride. Nursing is a profession held in high regard and you have a lot to look forward to!
Sherry
We know many days seem to be long but the years go by quickly so nursing school will soon be done!!! My 43 years of nursing-over in a “flash” but lots of memories.
I’m thankful for AC-nothing but 100 plus days in the future forecast. I’m thankful I have the budget to pay what will be increased electricity bills. I’m thankful there are no watering restrictions at this time and my lawn still looks somewhat decent. Though my tomatoes are done from the heat, I am thankful I have lots of red bell peppers still going strong.
I’m thankful the kidney stone “hung up” has not caused kidney damage and I can get taken care of within next few weeks.
Your positivity is always such a lift! Your life seems so orderly and calm ... I love the peeks your provide in photos of your spaces. You inspire me to achieve more of the same! Thank you so much!!
My thankful list for this week:
*That my summer head cold, where it felt as though someone had poured cement into my nostrils, has finally let up.
*That our garden is producing cucumbers and squash, enough to share with the family, and enjoy daily.
*I’m so thankful for my 90 year old aunt, who is kind, thoughtful and sweet. We have been dealing with a troublesome relative in a nursing home, and her moral support has been invaluable.
*For fresh Maine blueberries! We love them, the season is short and we just put 18 pints in the freezer plus made a beautiful blueberry cake!
*For sunny days where I can hang the laundry on the line and smell the lovely aroma of freshly washed sheets and towels! One of my simple pleasures.