Thankful Thursday | One more month!
This week, I am thankful:
that we are only about a month away from some green leaves
I know last year I saw some tiny green leaves in the brush in early March, so I am hoping for the same thing this year.
I am still grateful for my walks in the woods in February, but around this time of year, my eyes really start to get hungry for some green scenery.
Also, I really love to watch the spring changes that happen in the woods; there's a lot of sameness over the winter, but once spring arrives, there's something new to see each time I go out!
that I do not have to pay for the electrical work being done at my house
My landlords are replacing the breaker box and also the huge outdoor wires that go out to the street, and I am thankful that I don't have to pay for this beyond my rent payment!
My housing costs are very predictable right now and I appreciate that.
for a warm day yesterday
It felt like spring!
I ate my lunch outside.
And I bagged my Aldi groceries outside too.
that I am feeling healthier
Almost all of my symptoms are gone, and I have gradually been working on getting back into shape in preparation for skiing.
I can definitely tell I am not quite 100% yet because some of the hikes I've gone on have felt a bit more challenging than usual!
But it's ok; based on my experience last year, and the fact that I don't have any underlying conditions, I know I will be back to 100% soon.
for library books. And time to read them.
I don't think I darkened the door of the library for the whole fall semester!
But I have put a couple of books on hold in the last few weeks, and it feels good.
for the adventure of starting fresh
As I wrote yesterday's post, I had a mix of emotions; seeing pictures of my old house still stirs up some feelings for me.
I let those feelings be what they needed to be, and as always happens, they passed.
And then I was able to think about it like this: what an adventure it has been to start over and furnish a new-to-me house!
I thought about all the things I rescued from the abandoned house, and all the things I've gotten from friends, Facebook Marketplace, and my Buy Nothing group, and I just felt amazed at how God has provided for all of my needs.
(Here's a little sampling of stuff from the abandoned house.)
Of course, this is not the path anyone hopes for when they get married! No one wants to switch up their life like this.
But the reality is that I am here, on this path, and I might as well be grateful for the adventure that it is.
I like rehabbing and rescuing things and my goodness, I have had ample opportunity to do that this last year.
for the community here
As I was embarking on the adventure of buying the $5 "scuffed" end table, I was thinking about how much I love our community here.
Sure, it would be entertaining for me to buy and rehab the little table, just for me. But it's 1000 times more fun because I get to take all of you along on the adventure with me!
And I love that there is this huge group of people who can all appreciate the joy of rescuing something as dreadful as this little table.
for not having to put away leftovers
A lot of evenings, Lisey's boyfriend comes over after work and joins us for dinner, and he is quite a hungry fellow. The lovely thing about this is: I almost never have to put away any leftovers after his visits! He just eats whatever food is there.
I actually really like this because putting away the leftovers is by far my least favorite part of dinner cleanup.
Also, a hungry boyfriend turns out to be a very effective way to avoid food waste. 😉
for this blog as a job
Sometimes, I almost need to pinch myself when I think about how good I have it.
I really, really like blogging! And I get paid to do it!
Also, I will never, ever cease to be thankful for the way my blog provided me with my own money; that made it way easier to leave my marriage.
And I am so thankful for the flexible nature of blogging; as long as I have a laptop and internet, I can blog from anywhere. That was super helpful last year when I was living with my parents for four months.
for how kind internet people are to me
Sometimes, I come across social media accounts where people are just so, so rude to the person running the account. Sometimes people are downright cruel, which is terrible to see.
Occasionally people say rude things to me, but by and large, people are pretty polite to me, even on Facebook and Instagram.
I don't have the thickest skin in the world (it's the downside to being a gentle and empathetic person!), so if I had to deal with mean comments every day, I might just give up and crawl into obscurity.
So, I am super grateful that people generally seem to understand that my various platforms are a place where kindness is the norm.
(Some of this is due to the fact that I am not terribly famous. The more famous you get, the worse people seem to behave!)
It is so rewarding to cook for people who appreciate the food! We normally try to not have leftovers unless it is a dish that reheats well and then we feeze and save for the evening shifts when our eldest comes home from work at 10pm.
This weeks thankfuls:
A lovely evening with board games and laughs, with both our kids
Our youngest's capacity for expressing complicated feelings in words
Our eldest's tales of absurdly humourous situations at work. My favourite sitcom!
Cold frost and sunshine, lovely for walks
Starting choir rehearsals again now my eyesight is ok again. We are exploring Gjeilo's Dark night of the soul and Luminous night of the soul. Love his music.
What a wonderful Thankfulness post today.
I am thankful for books. I reread Lessons in Chemistry and I think it deserves being on the best seller list. I first read it last spring and it was less popular then. I am glad it has since garnered the attention it deserves. On Tuesday a friend loaned me his copy of Pachinko and I have been enjoying it. I love the way books can inform your of what life was like in a different time/place. Monday night I got together with three friends and books were among the topics we discussed. I noted a few recommendations and then one friend emailed us with an additional suggestion the next day. I borrow almost all books, in digital form, from the library.
I am thankful DH is happy with his job. He enjoys going to work and I don't think he is ready for retirement yet.
I am thankful for a healthy body and the ability to get out and about every day.
I am thankful for the times in which we live. Yes, there are stressful things happening in our country and around the world but overall I have more opportunity and ease than the lives of most people throughout history.
I am thankful for this blog. It is a nice community.
I'm still thankful for modern plumbing, electricity, HVAC, automobiles, and lots of other things.
@K D,
Lessons in Chemistry was my favorite book last year. I am thankful that some have the gift to tell a story.
@K D, I second your vote for modern conveniences. And I'd add 21st-century medical and dental care to the list. Every time I think I might have wanted to live in Jane Austen's era, I remind myself of all these things and change my mind.
@K D,
I loved Pachinko, as did my DS, and the TV adaptation is awesome.
I’m completely with you on the love of books to show you how people lived in other times, countries, religions, communities. It transports you right into the place, if well-written, almost like traveling.
One fun thing is to read books about, set in, or written by authors from a country you are about to visit. Doubles the pleasure.
Since this blog is a reflection of who you are, another way to look at it is that you provided for yourself. No whiskers needed. Except to eat up the leftovers, I suppose. 😉
@Becca,
Spot on! 🙂
I’m thankful to have my beloved ride back! I now know what a harmonic balancer is, as the original one decided that 34 years was long enough. It took a few days for the part to come in, but now my ride is back to its wonderful self.
I’m thankful I didn’t discover what a harmonic balancer is at full speed on the highway or while navigating traffic. I *did* discover it while the balancer was still attached and wobbling vs. flying off and destroying my car’s engine and/or causing a wreck. Indeed, the guys at AutoZone (where I parked to check out the weirdly sudden squeak under the hood) were shocked/impressed my car was still holding strong, as was my AAA tow truck driver. Can a car love? Because, when everything could easily have gone dramatically wrong, I can’t help but wonder. Seven years in, I certainly love it and am delighted to have it back.
Lastly, the new balancer has a few tiny rust spots that mark it as an organ donation, so to speak, so my thanks to the fellow old car that’s keeping mine going. This is also why I’ve always signed over my previous (VERY used) cars to my mechanic when it was time to say goodbye. He gets a well-deserved tip from parting them out, and said parts help other vehicles last that little bit longer for someone else.
@N, What type of car is it? Inquiring minds want to know!!
@Sarah C., 1989 Buick Century, 3000 lbs of steel and love. We’re only the third owners! It was a true “Granny only drove it on Sundays” car when we bought it for $1,000, with 110,000 miles. Seven years later, it’s up to 155,000+. I try to deep clean it weekly when it’s warm enough, and I am absolutely throwing my car a 40th birthday party when we get that far. Yes, it has a name, but it’s a doxing one—just know that is a fancy name for a fancy car. 😛
That is amazing that it's still going!
@N, I love this! That car definitely deserves a birthday party.
@N, I had a car like that! It finally gave up the ghost, but slowly . . . the power windows started to fizzle out, one at a time, and I couldn't find a mechanic who was willing to take apart the doors to fix it.
@N, I googled a picture! That is amazing. I have a new car that I aim to drive until it's lived most of its useful life. We'll see how that goes. I have failed to be frugal about my vehicle (trading cars too soon) in years past. Your love and devotion to your car (and it loves you back!) is an inspiration!
@Jean, I had to part with my 25 year old Ford Taurus station wagon last November. First a power window, then the hatchback, then the entire front end, then ... So I might have found someone to keep fixing it but ... really? I am thankful I was able to donate it to my local PBS station, and thankful they got $700 for it -- more than its blue book value! Pretty sure that was from organ donations, as N would put it.
My son is slowly fixing up his 1989 Cadillac Allante. It's a fun car to drive, was very high end back in the day, but a pain in the rear to find parts for now. The interior is so space-age 1989, with included car phone, it's pretty funny. Plus it has both a hard and rag top. Not what I would consider a dream car but what the heck.
@Rose, I had to look up the Allante. That’s a sweet project car your son has! I never expected a Buick to be my dream car, either—they sneak up on you. 🙂
@N, When you said "harmonic balancer," I first thought of some kind of psychic doing treatments to your chakras or something. LOL! But then again, the first time I heard "rotator cuff," I thought that was a car part and not a body part. I later learned a rotator cuff has something to do with your shoulder, not your car's engine.
@N, My first car was a 1980 Buick Century, and it was given to me by my grandmother because she never learned to drive, and Granddaddy had been dead for 5 years. Big Blue was very special to me, but we had to part ways because, at the time, it was super important that I not breakdown on the side of the road more frequently than once a month.
These thankful posts keep me on track in a way. Flexing your "grateful muscle" takes practice! This week I am thankful for:
*Not losing my electricity for more than 12 hours last week. A lot of folks in Austin STILL do not have electricity from the ice storm. I lost zero food in my fridge or freezer and I felt quite safe, if a little lonely and isolated.
*Only losing one small limb and a couple of branches from my oaks - so many people in this neighborhood lost whole trees and massive limbs and its a little heartbreaking to drive past the stacks. I'm so grateful I arranged tree pruning last year. It was cost effective!
*This dark roast coffee (Cafe Bustelo) every morning. I actually look forward to it the minute I wake up.
*Taking an old friend to my favorite winery this weekend for lunch, music, sunshine, and wine! Something to look forward to after yet another challenging week at work.
Hooray that spring is coming!!
I am thankful...
-That my 2yr old loves to sing. Her little voice brings me so much joy.
-That our water pressure tank, which seems to have gone bad, is under warranty and the company can replace it quickly
-That my kids generally play well together (though they of course have moments of fighting!)
-To be sipping yummy coffee in my favorite mug as I type this
-For the beautiful spring-like weather we enjoyed yesterday
@JP, Awww, a two year old singing...just the thought of it warms my heart.
Thankful for hubs going out of his way to be helpful when I hurt my knee.
For my doctor who got me in quickly for treatment.
For longer daylight.
For the very mild weather. We did not have a winter this year.
That my youngest grand is starting to walk and talk. She will hold the phone and sticks her face so close to the phone it's funny.
Life is funny. Sometimes everything goes smoothly and sometimes nothing seems to work out as planned. I am entering the sixth month of the later. Nothing has been easy, even the easy stuff. Flexing my gratitude muscles help me make it through.
* I’m thankful for cool morning and evenings followed by warm, sunshine filled days. Our Florida summer is just around the corner so I am savoring the lovely weather.
* I am grateful for birdsong. When I took the dog out this morning, I could hear the song of hundreds of birds. I closed my eyes to listen. When I opened them, Rescue Pup was staring at me. I suppose she wondered if I was okay.
* I am thankful for Rescue Pup. She is a loving, loyal and protective companion.pets like people can add a layer of richness to life.
* My heart overflows with love for my grand baby. Yesterday I took care of him for a few hours. I’m so grateful that my son and his little family live close by. It is a gift to have all of them in my life.
* I am grateful that I have been given the gift of persistence — also known as stubbornness. I never, ever give up which makes it easier to endure times like this.
* Finally, I am thankful for my new dishwasher - the installation of which did not go smoothly - and my wonderful plumber who set things right. He has made my life easier and has helped me out in the most difficult of circumstances.
Wishing everyone peace and good health.
Aww, man. I hope things ease up for you soon, Bee!
@Bee,
Six months is a long time for a dark period. Good thoughts to you for an upswing soon.
@Bee, I wish you better times ahead. (And I also wish you and @Ruby and I all lived closer. We could all go out and hit an Ollie's together.)
@A. Marie, I am probably going to Ollie's today with coupon in hand, having had enough of our frayed, bleach spotted bathmats. I will keep you and Bee in my thoughts so you can virtually come along for the ride.
Sorry, Bee, frustration is hitting me to the max lately. NOTHING is going right or working right, including my bank (Yes, I do hope ChatGPT takes your jobs, as quickly as possible), my renters (sigh--no, I'm not going to be "grateful," Millennial, that you managed to pay a fraction of December's rent), even my online application for short term disability has been "OOOOOPS something bad happened" twice in two days. Instacart comes back with 1/3 of the stuff I wanted, even though I marked substitutes, and on and on.
@Rose,
It is difficult when life is like this. I know it will get better. A bit of cowboy wisdom tgat was shared with me: When riding through hell, keep riding and don’t get off the horse.
I hope things get better for you soon. Sending you lots of love and good wishes!
@Ruby, I love Ollie’s!!! I hope you find some great bargains it’s a treasure hunt.
@Rose, I often deal with frustration by taking a nap. If I were having your luck, I'd be under the covers prettymuch around the clock. Hope it gets better soon.
@Bee, I did! Bought some nice foods, the perfect bath mat and a pretty vinyl table runner I turned into a long placemat for the cats.
My daffodils started peeking out of the ground yesterday! So very early for Michigan, but it has been a warm winter and they're on the south side of my house. They always bring so much joy when they bloom!
This week I'm thankful:
* that I'm not working full-time. This is the second Thursday in a row that I've had a kid get sick. (Different kid, different kind of sickness.) But I'm thankful that I don't have to stress about how many days I'm missing from work. I can just be home and take care of them.
* for my planner. It's so pretty, helps me stay focused, and I really just love it.
* for the ages of my kids. 8 (soon to be 9!), 6, and 4 are just so fun!
* for good friends - both for my husband and I and for our kids.
* for the ways God has uniquely gifted my kids in different ways. Since they're so different, it's easier to notice and appreciate their gifts.
* for good books - both physical copies and audiobooks.
* for our church.
* for coffee. *happy sigh*
@Ruth T, my kids are 8, 5.5, 4, and 2 and I also keep thinking that these are great ages! They still want to be with us/talk to us, independent in many good ways, and yes- fun!
This week's thankful list:
- The first part of the extensive work on the patio and driveway to resolve the sinking issue was done yesterday. They pulled out all the plants in the flower bed but were able to save my dogwood tree.
- The daffodils are starting to bloom
- We had a few days of warm and sunny weather
- I got most of the first load of Mother's wardrobe packed up and donated, 10 bags of clothes so far. Still a lot more to go, but at least I'm making progress. I am shocked and amazed at just how much clothing Mother owned!
- My DH is so very helpful and supportive as I deal with Mother's estate and all the drama with my siblings. We have decided to update our will and set aside money for an executor after going through this difficult process, we don't want to put that burden on our daughter when the time comes.
I love the simplicity and poignancy of your words.
"Of course, this is not the path anyone hopes for when they get married! No one wants to switch up their life like this.
But the reality is that I am here, on this path, and I might as well be grateful for the adventure that it is."
The "no one wants to switch up their life like this," really got to me because that's what I feel many of my closest friends and I tolerated in our marriages before we started standing up / speaking up for ourselves to our husbands asking for equality (sharing chores/tasks) in our marriages.
Except for most of us, it didn't work. Slight improvements and then an eventual backslide to the way things were because, "When you're accustomed to privilege, equality seems like oppression."
Thank you Kristen for speaking your truth with grace!
Forgot to include that this week, I'm thankful for great books. They transport me to a different world and I learn so much from them!
This week, I'm reading:
Matthew Walker's Why We Sleep
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34466963-why-we-sleep
Holly Bourne's When We were Friends
https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/60023128
Nodding my head here!
@kelly, "When you're accustomed to privilege, equality seems like oppression."
I have never heard it said better.
@kelly, I LOVE that phrase "When you're accustomed to privilege, equality seems like oppression." I think I will get that made into a bumper sticker!
@Anne, Years ago, I saw it on a forum and it hit me so deeply that I saved it the quote.
Glad you like the quote!
@Lindsey, Happy to hear you love it! I love it too and saved it after reading it on a forum years ago.
Your blog is by far the most considerate, humane and tolerant blog I read and I believe you reap what you sow, so I am not surprised that the internet treats you well---you absolutely deserve it! (Btw, they even like you on reddit where they dissect financial bloggers!)
Aww, I am glad to hear that. I will trust your word because I purposely do not ever read forums/sites where they dissect bloggers; I just know that if I read what people were saying about me, it would inevitably affect the way I write here.
So I just stick my head in the sand and pretend that those sites do not exist. Ha.
But still, it is nice to hear that people are being gentle on me even on those sites!
@Bobi, Yes, I read some of those nicer comments about Kristen and that's very cool since they can really snark.
Thankful for...
Being able to follow my long-time GP into her new practice. Neither she nor I was happy with the way things were going in her old practice, and I'm glad we're both making the move.
The new barber/beautician at DH's nursing home, who gave him his first haircut in several months. (The ward staff trimmed his beard fairly short a few weeks ago, because food kept getting stuck in it, and I'm OK with that.) When I saw DH yesterday, I told him that he now looks like Don Johnson in Miami Vice. He doesn't know who I am any more, let alone remember DJ or MV (although he was a fan back in the day). But he did realize that a friendly person was paying him a compliment, and he mustered up a "Yeah!"
The exuberant rooster in an urban chicken flock a short walk away--whose hormones are definitely on the rise with increasing daylight, even if other signs of spring are still far away here in Central NY. I was delighted with him, although I imagine that the near neighbors are less so! (See my recent discussion with @kristin @ going country about Mean Rooster Stock. Noisy Rooster Stock may be coming up on that street soon.)
@A. Marie, I follow along with interest your journey with your dear HB and his dementia. I went through that with my father, from 2015 to 2020 when he passed away at age 90. I get to go through this again as my dear HB is starting to exhibit signs of dementia, he is turning 70 this year; his fathers' siblings all had dementia. (his father died young so we don't know about that with him). With my HB I will at least know how to navigate the medical and social work systems having learned so much with my father.
@A. Marie, "hormones on the rise." I love it.
@Linda in Canada, I'm so sorry to hear that you're having to go through a loved one's dementia *again*. My dad had Parkinson's-related dementia, and both DH's and my mothers had vascular dementia, but we weren't the sole caregivers in any of these cases. So I knew a little about dementia generally (plus whatever I picked up in the course of my work in editing psychiatric/medical texts)--but not nearly as much as I needed to know about navigating the systems. I had help from Dr. Bestest Neighbor, another retired doctor neighbor, and a counselor at the complex where DH now resides. But it was still a massive load of seat-of-the-pants learning. My heart goes out to you as you restart this journey.
@A. Marie,
I'm so sorry he doesn't recognize you anymore! I will always remember the look on my DH's face the day he realized that his mother didn't recognize her baby boy anymore. She had always told anyone who would listen that she had long wanted a boy (after 3 girls) and finally got him. She gave birth to him in her early 40's, and by her late 60's, she had no idea who he was. Such a cruel disease. My heart hurts for you.
@A. Marie, Every time I read that your beloved husband no longer recognizes you, my heart hurts for you. I cannot imagine how hard that must be, especially at the beginning.
This week....
For the days full of sunshine that we have had this week. I am so ready for Spring and anything green so days of blue skies and temps 60 or above are very wonderful. I sat outside, opened my sunroof & blinds and soaked it in.
For a healthy body that is getting stronger with every single workout. This is a tough one for me since weight loss is such a mind game for me. There are weeks the scale doesn't move, sometimes I see progress in the mirror and sometimes I can't see it...I could go on and on. Regardless of the number I can see progress being made in the gym. I haven't fallen over yet!
For my comfortable bed. At the end of long days it is a blessed mercy to snuggle into a warm comfortable bed and drift off to sleep. This luxury is not lost on me.
For birdsong. I can hear Spring in the air as there are more birds singing on these warmer days and it is so peaceful to listen to.
For a whole day with my husband just he and I. We had meals together. Conversation. We walked, laughed, planned. No interruptions. No pressure. Just us. and it was Heaven.
Happy Thursday everyone!
@Angie,
You have such a gift with words! Beautiful descriptions!
This week I’m thankful-
1. That my recurring visits to my orthopedic foot doctor over the last 3+ months have been thorough. Foot pain has limited my activity level severely at times. But I have an excellent doctor who recommends testing & treatment as needed, and always involves me in any decision making. Hopefully I get an “all clear “ soon.
2. That I am retired & can navigate any illness or injury at my own pace, giving me all the time I need to fully recuperate instead of rushing things along to “get back to work!”
3. For the somewhat mild winter we’ve had so far. Aside from 1 major snowfall & 1 severe cold snap, this winter has been tolerable.
4. For the birds that have been singing lately. They are enjoying the milder winter & their songs remind me that spring will be here soon.
5. For satisfying my curiosity about current events by watching & listening to various news sources. By watching local, national & foreign news sources I believe that I get a well rounded education & more viewpoints.
6. For options & choices in everything - from what toothpaste I buy to religion. Freedom is empowering, & I sometimes forget that it is mine in both small & big decisions.
7. For my willingness to try to fix or mend before I toss something and/or rush to replace it. I save money, unnecessary trash & gain satisfaction from it.
8. For another day to live, laugh & love.
Today I’m thankful for your post yesterday. The kindness you reference here was evident in what is a dark time for you, where it would be easy to vent. You never take the easy way, always strive to find reasons to find happiness for yourself, and never drag others down. And, by extension, you lead us to be better, too.
Today, my thankfulness rests in prayers for tomorrow’s surgery to hopefully bring my DS back to well again. And for your blog in giving me a worthy place to set this intention.
Thankful for....
* a day off without a ten thousands check boxes on my "to-do" list
* DD planning her b-day party saying "I have too many friends to invite them all"! Nice problem to have 😉
* The dog stopped pooping on my carpet
* a king size bed
* having the financial means for things like paying a private trainer for my DD who's having knee pain (to evaluate and built an exercise program for her).
@Isa, your post reminds me how thankful I was when my new puppy only pooped and peed on the bare brick floors, and never the oriental rugs. A silver lining in the housebreaking cloud.
@JDinNM, One of Irish wolfhound puppies would walk up to me and pee on my leg until we got him trained. I have not had other puppy breeds, so I don't know how long it takes to train them, but it took 6 months for all or our wolfhounds to reliably get the idea that they needed to go outside to pee. Well, I should say we got my leg pee-er almost trained because until he died at almost 12, if he saw me petting another dog at the dog park, he would come over and pee on my leg. Not my husband, just me. He soon had me trained to reserve all my affection for him.
Ha, my mother in law used to say she never had to deal with leftovers until my husband (her sixth of seven kids) moved out. Right now, with four boys, my husband asks me to make extra so we WILL have leftovers. With three pans of lasagna we're usually guaranteed to have enough leftovers for lunch and--as I put it one night--"auxiliary dinner."
Things I'm thankful for this week:
1) That my MRI turned up no structural knee problems. I do need physical therapy, but I can back to more rigorous workouts, and I can likely see with the family in a few weeks.
2) It was a super busy week, so as usual, I'm eternally grateful for our meal planning, where we cook on weekends & have leftovers during the week. It's not the most glamorous, but saves us so much time & money.
3) That I'm close to my office, and can typically get there in 15-20 minutes. (This is a change from pre COVID times, where traffic was much harder to predict).
4) That my husband hasn't been laid off. A lot of people on his team haven't been so lucky.
5) We have a large emergency fund, so while being laid off would be no fun & cause some natural stress, we are prepared & the financial side wouldn't overwhelm us. It's really comforting.
Like Bee, I see the longer days as a signal of the approach of brutal summer weather, so I am enjoying this cooler weather while I can.
1. I'm thankful that an extended family member with Parkinson's was referred to a new neuro "day camp" of sorts that allows him to spend a few hours twice a week doing mental and physical exercises to help mitigate, at least some, the progressive effects of his disease. I'm also thankful that it's held at a small private college five minutes from their house, instead of a long drive away.
2. I'm thankful that both grandchildren who were in braces are now brace-free and have lovely smiles to show for them.
3. I'm thankful for finding what I think is the last book in the series of the Rabbi David Small books by Harry Kemelman that I read so many years ago. I didn't know this one existed. I'll enjoy visiting with the Rabbi again.
4. I'm thankful for parents and other relatives who always had books around their houses, which fostered my love of reading. When I was the last kid living at home and my dad was working evening shift, my mother and I would make an easy dinner like salad for the two of us and bring our books to the table. It was the only time she allowed any reading at the table.
5. I'm thankful for being born on Leap Year Day. It gives my birthday some added fun and I tend to really enjoy it when I finally have one on that fourth year. It also seems to please other people to have met someone with that birthday, for some reason. I've had busy working people stop what they are doing to ask me questions about it when they see my license or see my birth date on my records, and they are always smiling as they ask. It's nice to be able to give smiles without even trying.
@JD, my mother always used to celebrate our "half-birthdays" (the days 6 months from our birthdays--hey, any excuse for more cake is good, right?). And my half-birthday falls on your birthday, although my mother always made me a cake on Feb. 28 in non-leap years. So more cake to us both!
@A. Marie,
Yay, cake for us both! I hope you will enjoy your half-birthday while I enjoy my invisible birthday on the 28th. Next year, though, we get the real thing!
I am thankful for pretty good health at age 74.
For trip to Italy coming up, after two postponements.
For my beautiful, well equipped kitchen and cookbooks.
For the automatic feature on my coffee pot—it will start in the morning to have coffee ready when I get up!
For retirement. It is lovely not to have to rush in the morning.
I am thankful for your blog, Kristen, and your book recommendations! Though I know I don't have what it takes to be a nurse, I love reading medical memoirs, and am reading The Language of Kindness now after seeing it on your blog.
Thankful for a warmer week of weather and improved health in my family.
Thankful for lower power bills, thanks to some lifestyle tweaks we made, which have not hampered anybody in any way.
Oh, I hope you enjoy it! Some of the chapters in there moved me to tears.
@Kristen, I'm in the early part, where she is a learning nurse on a mental ward, and it's reminding me of some of the time I spent working with de-institutionalized adults. Some good memories, some bad, some just funny.
February is always rough for me. 25 years of living in the midwest (from the south) and I *STILL* struggle this time of year with the gray, dreary, brown views. I plant bulbs every fall. Every fall I'm grumbling about "Why am I doing this?" but I know future me will be happy with past me. I joke (but only partly) that it's for my mental health, so it's ok to spend money on new bulbs. Watching those bits of green poke up every year keeps me looking ahead. I love seeing your walk pictures, I'm hoping to get out of our neighborhood and into nature more for walks this spring. But the neighborhood is easy and nature requires driving somewhere. 🙂 I'm also thankful for a busy month so it will go by faster. This is a full month at the school I work at, and while it's crazy, it helps to know it'll make this month go fast.
Yes; at first the brown and gray is sort of tolerable but as the months drag on, my patience for it wears thin!
The word youunses. It makes me smile when someone uses it and reminds me of less complicated people and times.
Pearls ragdolls always makes me smile even in tragedy because life goes on and fluffy wins.
John and mama, sweet and fun. I get tired of the pretentious world and all its hoo-ha babble. Plus I never knew I needed to know how to make a walking taco. Thank you.
@Tiana, Grandma used to say "you-uns"! Thank you for the happy memory. And thank you also for saying "fluffy wins" and using "hoo-ha babble".
Wow. That was three thankfuls and all I did was reply to you!
@Central Calif. Artist, so ... you're thankful for Tiana! That's one, two, three ... FOUR! This is easy!
I am most thankful for my 16 yo daughter's new attitude and lighter spirit. I don't exactly know what made the difference, she's had various supports through out my illness but she is most definitely coping with it all in a much healthier way. This does my own heart such good and I can focus a bit more on myself.
I'm thankful that my eldest daughter is close enough to come home for a weekend. It's so nice to have her here on a regular basis. I missed her so much when she was in Calgary and had to fly home for a visit.
I'm thankful for online grocery orders and how attentive to detail my local grocery has been, that I don't ever need to step foot in the store is lovely. I hate grocery shopping and was ordering online long before the pandemic. Now as an immunocompromised person with limited energy I appreciate it even more.
I'm thankful for my house and it's beautiful setting (Kristen's last blog post gave me this one!).
I am thankful to be alive, this one I want to shout from the roof tops! I am alive and although life may not look like I thought it would, I'm grateful.
xoxoxo to Kristen and all the rest of you friends, also thankful for all of you!
I am so glad you are alive and here too. <3
Young men’s and they’re going tru 6000 calories, alway amazing to see.
I am very glad to see that part of the internet is still kind and polite.
I'm thankful that we haven't had any ice dams on the roof or water in the basement, for the beautiful weather and being able to go outside, for an easier semester, for snuggles with my kids, that I haven't gotten a cold (even with my youngest sneezing and coughing in my face), for more sunlight each day, that I get to listen to my kids practice their instruments and how it keeps sounding more like music each week (one started in August and another in September), for increased help at home as kids learn new skills, for free/cheap continuing ed credits through my union and other organizations.
I am thankful that another week has passed in my son’s mystery deployment. We know nothing. We will know nothing. Could be four months or so. Big sigh. But positive thoughts.
@Stephanie, I cannot even begin to imagine how hard this is. Positive thoughts for you and your son, and for all the service men and women and their families.
@Stephanie, Dr. Bestest Neighbor has a grandson in the CIA--and knows nothing for years on end about what he's doing. But this just means the grandson is doing his job properly, as your son is doing. Positive thoughts to all.
@Stephanie, Sending thoughts for strength for you and your family.
@Stephanie, That's gotta be so hard.
It's the reason my dad turned down the CIA (actually, an even more shadowy agency) when they tried to recruit him after he retired from the NYPD. Sharpshooter? Check. Nerves of steel? Yup. Doesn't mind taking out the bad guys? Sure! Disappear for months at a time and not tell my mom and us four kids? NO DEAL. Too bad, he'd've been good at it.
I am thankful for warmer days. We have had several days in the 60s.
I am thankful that Daylight Savings Time is only a month away. (I know this is controversial and that most people have very logical reasons for hating DST.) I just love having sunlight in the evenings.
I am thankful that some of my plant cuttings have lived. I don't think the lavender will make it but I do have 10 free plants.
I am thankful for a friend who is really great at photography. We plan to buy one of his pictures this weekend.
I am thankful for google translate. I am selling weights and do not speak the same language as the buyer. Google translate is helping us get by.
I am thankful for my morning coffee and good books. (Brideshead, Revisited was so excellent that I forced my husband to listen to large excerpts.)
@Rebekah in SoCal, Probably my favorite book ever, except its author was such a snobbish anti-American jerk it makes my toes curl.
Besides, it's extremely funny in parts.
Your post yesterday about things you liked about your new home was inspiring. You've made it a home in a short while. Off topic but one of your thankfulls was about your blog earning money. Could you do a write up about that. I love blogging and am interested in monetizing it but I don't want lots of pop ups. I hate reading blogs with those and quickly lose interest. Your blog has ads but they aren't overwhelming. Thanks
I‘m getting some books from the library today. Would you consider filming a video of you playing your piano. Do your daughters play the piano
1. I'm thankful that my husband is back from his trip - his parents asked if he could join them to celebrate their anniversary and though it was last minute, he agreed because he knew it would make them happy and it is a milestone anniversary. As inconvenient as it was for both of us, I'm glad to see that he is caring enough to do this.
2. For a fun excursion to look forward to this Saturday. We're getting on a party bus (we're all in our late 40s - it won't be all that wild!) and driving to do some wine tasting to celebrate a friend's birthday. I'm thankful for the friends and for my folks who are going to be taking care of our kids while we play.
3. For my snuggly almost 10 year old. This morning I saw her light was on but when I went into her room, she was tucked into her bed, reading a book instead of getting ready for school. We probably should've started moving but instead I got in with her for a few minutes and it was the coziest, happiest place I could have asked for. Her little delight at knowing we could be there together for a little longer and her feet on my shins nourished me in a way that I didn't know i needed. She turns double digits this weekend so I'm soaking up these moments while I still can.
4. That work has let up for a bit. I know it's temporary but it's allowed me to do some housekeeping type stuff to get in front of the stressful times.
5. For that robot vacuum that's humming away downstairs. It lets me slack off and read FG instead of cleaning the dusty/dirty floor (or the more likely scenario where I'm feeling guilty about not being able to get to cleaning the floor!)
@CrunchyCake,
your #3 - so, so smart of you to recognize and take up the opportunity for a wonderful moment!
Thankfuls:
First and foremost: I just this minute got a delivery for my HB; and the delivery guy was so cheerful and happy, (considering that it is pouring rain outside), it just made my day.
Hot pepper flakes. Who knew that buying a new FRESH bag of them would make such a difference, lol.
For the fairly mild winter so far. Yes we have had 2 whopper snowstorms, and recently 2 days in the -20's C feeling like -31C; but other than that, I've been enjoying my winter. I like the cold as opposed to the summer heat.
Being able to go for walks around my neighbourhood, as long as the sidewalks are not icy/ slippery. I layer up and dress for the cold. It is such a boost for my mental health, even better if the sun is shining.
For my 2 cats. they always make me smile. Though today senior cat is not feeling well, she didn't eat breakfast; I'm hoping that this passes and that she will be okay to eat her dinner.
Kristen, very much with you on being thankful over the sunny warm day we received yesterday. I have started to get the winter blues over the grey skies. I don't mind cold weather as much as the lack of sun.
My MIL is visiting us. She has pretty advanced dementia and does not remember who we are. I am thankful that she is calm and content most of the time and that she seems to enjoy being with us. She is also forgetting her English and going back to her childhood language. I am thankful to be able to speak with her in that language, especially as her kids don't all know it.
I am thankful that my sudden vertigo passed after an Epley maneuver. It can can be very debilitating.
I am thankful that my elderly neighbor who was admitted into a hospital was discharged into a rehabilitation center. She is still a fighter at 98.
Also thankful for leftovers from dinner, I hate to fix up a lunch 🙂 But I know what you mean about how nice it is that someone enjoys the food you made and finishes it off.
I appreciate your blog, feels as if I'm reading with a friend. Thank you.
K D wrote; "I am thankful for this blog. It is a nice community."
And I agree totally.
1. Almost everyone who reads my blog is known to me in real life so all that Anonymous Internet Nastiness is not there. Most people email me rather than navigate the commenting maze. (I am amazed by the level of decency on this blog, which is one of the things that keeps me returning.)
2. Retired Husband has returned to work recently (part-time) to help with ruined roads from fires and flooding (in nearby national park). It gives him purpose, structure, and dignity.
3. I chose to skip a weekend away to visit my sister and attend friend's wedding shower: sister got covid and the shower was reported to be a loud raucous party.
4. Pippin, AKA Orange-Bob-Square-Pants (ginger cat without a tail) stays in one chair with a throw over it until he asks to go outside. (We quit with indoor cats in 2017, recovered the furniture, and began again with outdoor cats, but Husband is a real pushover when it comes to Pippin.)
5. A new idea to contemplate: "When you are accustomed to privilege, equality seems like oppression".
I'm sitting here listening to the wind absolutely howl,with occasional snow whipping past the windows, and feeling very thankful I don't have to go anywhere today. Especially work, because it would definitely be an indoor recess day and I, the recess monitor, am not a fan of that.
I am thankful for your happiness, Kristen, in your new home and in this new phase of your life, and for your honesty about the days when that happiness felt hard-won. (((HUGS)))
All this week I have been thankful for my sweet family, our tribe of rescued critters, for the first signs of spring in the tiny white lilies popping up in the grass, and for our faithful little old chest freezer, coming up on 30 years old and still chugging along, making frugal cooking so much easier.
You are a breath of fresh air and sunshine for us all. I love the do it yourself projects as well. I love love your determination. Stay strong and have fun with your family on your trip.
I can't wait to see what you do with the "scuffed" end table. I love to see the process and the end product. Have a wonderful day!
Thankful for the sunshine we had yesterday. It brightened my mood. For finding a local appliance store that offers personalized and helpful service. For having money to buy a new washer from this store. For my lap cat. For my quietly kind and consistent family members. For a great day of snowshoeing with a friend last week.
A weird stomach bug has been going through my family, where someone will feel sick for a few hours, throw up once, then be fine. So while that's not awesome, overall everybody feels pretty good, but we're contagious enough that I had a valid reason to cancel everything for the rest of the week, and I am so thankful to get to just be home with my family for a few days after a couple of crazy weeks.
I'm thankful for Ali Slage's forever chicken and rice soup recipe, which I have on the stove right now and have made at least once a week all winter. It is the perfect soup: comforting but not very fatty or creamy, endlessly customizable, cheap, delicious.
https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2022/apr/20/chicken-and-rice-soup-simple-yet-delectable/
I'm thankful for a couple of possible teaching positions that, even if they don't work out for the fall, have really revived my passion for teaching (tough in February, which always feel like the darkest days of both the homeschool and regular school year!) and also made me excited about all the opportunities I now have that my kids are older. I feel like Kristen in her old house/new house post about this. I really did love (and do love) being home with my kids, and I'm so grateful I was able to be home with them for as long as I have been (and that even now it's my choice if I go back to work or not). But there are also so many wonderful things about them being older, including the ability to serve others and use my skills in ways that were just not possible when I had a lot more hands-on needs at home.
*Ali Slagle
@Lori, Appealing recipe!
Is it cooked or uncooked rice?
@Heidi Louise, uncooked! You simmer it long in a lot of water, so it breaks down and gets very soft.
@Lori, Thanks for sharing - that looks delicious and I'm bookmarking it so I can try it!
@Lori, and company,
I love Ali Slagle's new cookbook. It’s filled with customizable recipes that are exactly as you say, simple and delicious. She even suggests a few "customizes" for each one.
I am thankful . . .
That I am home today. I am in residence an eight hour train ride from home, so I am away a lot this semester. I was so thankful to come home last night and hug my kids and curl up next to my husband.
That I got to clean this morning. I don't love to clean, but I love a fresh, clean house. And it needed it! My goodness four kids can destroy a house. Since my husband is holding it down without me so much these days, I don't mind taking on the full deep clean of the house weekly. Mentally it is a good way for me to reset after being gone.
That I get alone time. I love your point about appreciating the adventure even when you didn't chose the path. I am tired of being away from my family even though I deeply love my work. But, especially after being home with everyone for so long in the pandemic without a second of quiet time, I still soak up the moments I have to myself on the road.
For the leftover macaroni and cheese. Thank you, Sunday me, for making enough for leftovers. How they escaped the rest of my family until now I don't know, but I will take it.
I am thankful for Kristen's "little sample of stuff from the abandoned house" and especially the photos of the two little Bluebirds of Happiness, because they foretell a happy future for her full of love and serendipity and magical surprises.
I am perversely thankful I was dragging my feet all week over a work project because at 8 this morning the client called to say they were backing out of the deal. And now my day is (more or less) free to ... ? Clean the house? Do the laundry? Help me out here! There's got to be something better to do.
I appreciate this community, too. Thank you, Kristen for being a kind mayor. I am thankful I do not have to get out in our weather of rain and then snow that has caused many skid wrecks today. Have to get out for work tonight, but should have the main drag cleared by then. Thankful for a friend who helped pull much of an invasive vine that was winding it's tendrils through my shade garden. Her energy was infectious and just the right push to tackle the job at the right time to avoid damaging the wanted plants. Thankful that the reason we did it when we did was the unseasonably warm weather. Thankful for analgesics, oral and topical to aid in recovery of said "exercise." As always, thankful for chai latte to start today and the overnight grits (cooked bain marie style in the slow cooker). Nontypical midwest breakfast for sure!
@Chrissy, I like the idea of Kristen as Mayor!
That makes us citizens, hopefully good citizens.
@Heidi Louise, Mayor Kristen for the win in a landslide!!
Your thankful list today made me exceptionally thankful that you are doing okay and even thriving in your place. It makes me see happy when people are well at heart.
TT:
-my Dad for being a wise, unflappable man. I’m nearing middle age and I think I need him now just as much as when I was a small kid. My mom is awesome too. She built a loving home that still gives me warm fuzzies when I go back.
-a warm crisp sunny day. Usual sun comes with cold here, but it was 24F and sunny this morning. Not going to have many mornings like this so I’ll soak it up.
-I’m no longer walking kids to the bus in the dark. The sun is high enough that we can see the road that we are walking on! And we could see actual road, not just snow cover because it was ABOVE FREEZING yesterday!
-the complexity of life. I know it sounds odd, but if it were simple, then bad days would be all bad, and I would hate that. I’ve had a few bad days that have also been filled with such beauty, and I’m glad that I can experience both together and not just one at a time.
People are kind to you because you are genuine, humble and honest. You never take nasty swipes at others and don't get any towards you. You don't act like a privileged spoiled brat. Yours is the only blog I've continued to read for these reasons. I bet all your followers agree with me.
This week I'm so thankful to be feeling better and to being able to live my life in my normal way in my home. It's such a relief!
I'm not sure I reflected on it at the time, but I'm thankful for the breakthrough I had in my journey to forgiveness a month or so (maybe longer?) ago. A weight has been lifted off my shoulders and it feels so good.
I'm thankful to have been asked to take on a leadership role in my small group. I had been feeling led to head in that direction, and the ask is confirmation to me that it's God's will.
I'm thankful to have made a ton of progress on my dad's estate this week. I'm trying to be careful to not run myself ragged after being sick, but the progress is so satisfying. And I'm really thankful that aspects that concerned me have so far turned out better than I could have imagined.
I'm thankful that my doctor ordered an MRI to see what was going on in my foot and ankle. The MRI revealed some issues that would not have been visible in a normal x-ray, and, thankfully, the issues can be treated fairly easily. I'm also thankful that the problems were real and not just in my head. Going forward, I'm hopeful to have some healing in the coming weeks and be able to walk as long as and as often as I did prior to 2020. Yay for healing in 2023!
I, too, am looking forward to touches of green outside!
Today, I am thankful:
That my bff and her brother were with their mom, each holding one of her hands, as she passed this past Monday. It was exactly where they wanted to be. Mom was in hospice care for the past 4 months, and her passing sounds like it was peaceful.
That my family and I live within a reasonable car drive to be with my bff and her family this coming weekend for her mom's funeral services. Bff has been going through a terrible divorce, and while phone calls and texts are great, actually getting to see her and her kids is like gold. (I only wish it was under better circumstances).
That I was able to repurpose some leftover pot roast into a big pot of vegetable beef soup.
Having some basic cooking skills and some pantry staples really comes in handy.
For good medical and dental care available (I'm right there with you, A. Marie!). While I did not get good dental news this past Tuesday, I'm glad I can get dental check ups, cleanings, and dental procedures I need. I also have a fantastic dentist + dental office staff.
For bacon, chocolate, and coffee. 😉
Have a good week, everyone!
So many things I am grateful for!
- I’m at a conference in a warm state, and ate outside for lunch and took a walk in short sleeves. Heaven for this person from Minnesota!
- I’m with 3 other work colleagues at the conference. We get along and like to spend time together. That is a blessing!
- I had a fantastic night’s sleep last night( not always true for me).
-my mom moved (again ☹️) to a new assisted living and she is adjusting well. It’s been really hard the last 11 months, and I’m grateful for the stability of a few weeks’ calm.
For a sunny day - we’re just recovering from a wet deluge and cyclone Gabriella is heading our way but today the sun is shining and we ‘re off to Ed Sheeran’s concert tonight.
For insurance - the carpet and walls in our newly refurbished granny flat ( thankfully untenanted) were ruined by the floods and insurance will cover their replacement.
For my DH who is such a handyman and ripped out the carpet, took apart the walls ( after the insurance assessor had seen the damage) and spoke to our broker. He never complains and works so hard at his job and at home.
For our near 100 year old home which is built 4 steps up - our forebears were smarter builders - and had no flooding. We have a large lawn and gardens and they soaked up the water too.
For my family, we have our sorrows and joys but together we can bear and share them.
@Chris in NZ, I'm delighted that we have a commenter from NZ! Greetings to you and to all our other international friends.
@A. Marie,
Thank you for your kind welcome. It does seem odd commenting when our seasons are opposite which is why I included NZ in my name.
Today I am thankful for:
Warm Sunshine
My dog
My garden
Some quiet time
My kids
Your blog
I am thankful for the comments on Monday and today about how we use different words in different regions (you-plurals, and fixing to do something, among other examples). I like that our voices, as well as our words, are as individual as we are.
Once in a great while, I will overhear someone in a store or public place speak with The Accent I grew up with, hundreds of miles away from where I am now. I will immediately look over to see if I know the person, which of course has not happened.
“ I just felt amazed at how God has provided for all of my needs.”
You choose to believe it was God and of course that’s okay. I choose to believe and see that it’s really lovely and generous people.
Xoxox
@Marinell Crippen, or perhaps God working through really lovely and generous people! The possibilities are endless. ;-}
Thank you, Kristen - your posts make so thoughtful 🙂
When you first shared your life change with us, I remember thinking how glad I was that you built this income-generating blog community so that you had the opportunity to make a difficult, unexpected yet healthy move. It reminded me of when I returned to work after a year of mat leave (we're very fortunate to have long mat leave in Canada - now it's 18 mths that can be shared between 2 parents); I was feeling guilty despite my love for my profession. A kind neighbour told me that with my investment in my education and my desire to work outside the home, it was okay for me to feel good about my work (and know that I had a financial foundation in case I ever found myself a single parent).
Thankful that:
1. Our saga of "What leaving the garage door open in winter can cost" is finally over. They came to install the automatic closer (which also texts us that we left it open for more than 5 mintues so it is being closed for us) and it turned out the door needed a lot of work before that could happen and that was finished yesterday. We have now spent over $4,000 on fixing the damage but is finally all done. The hardest thing is watching the husband beating himself up for having caused all this. My attitude is things happen.
2. We had the money to pay for all these costs set aside in our emergency fund. There was a time in our life when it would have been panic inducing.
3. A friend who had a stroke and has refused to leave the house because she is visibly handicapped and also has trouble finding her words, agreed to come over for lunch. She has a long way to go but at least she is finally going out in public. I have felt helpless, unable to think of a way to help her so I have just sent her a funny card each week. Being so ill is very lonely...I am honored that she trusted us enough to come here for her first outing.
4. A nun who had the greatest influence on my life has finally died after a very long battle with dementia. When she first was diagnosed, she talked a lot about how she wished God would just take her before she became too much of an expensive burden. She finally got her wish and I am glad for that.
5. My baby sister (60 years old!) continues to recover after having a lot of her colon removed. She has been in pain for about 18 months and is finally pain free. When his brother was dying, her husband had a very hard time helping with intimate care tasks and I was afraid he would be similarly reluctant to help my sister. Turns out his experience with his brother had helped him get over his hesitations and he has been a trooper about caring for my sister. He would not have been my choice for a husband but for 30 years he has done right by her, so perhaps I was too hasty in thinking he would abandon ship now. (I don't think I have ever quite forgiven him for insisting that she change her name when they got married...)
@Lindsey, a salute to all of your thankfuls. Please give my best to your hubs re: your #1, and add my encouragement to yours not to fret about it any more. And re: your #5, I'm glad your BIL has come through for your sister, despite the name change issue. (DH was perfectly OK with my keeping my name, even in the face of the considerable blowback we got from members of his family. One of the many ways I knew from the start that he was a winner.)
So incredibly for ………………
healthy lunches
aromatherapy
clean sheets for our bed
chocolate covered strawberries
grand babies Ben, Eli, Cami & Cali
being richly blessed and highly favored
Hi, Kristen-
I have been a long time reader (I don't know what year, but your kids were still very young, so it's been a minute.) I have been watching your journey with interest - a few years ago I had a similar life event (although I did get stay in my house - one big difference!) and have been praying for you that you will see the huge improvements in your life that I did in mine, especially after working through the emotional aftermath. Your comments about Lisey's boyfriend eating all the leftovers made me giggle, because I have exactly the same thing with my older daughter's boyfriend. We never have any leftovers when Brayden is in the house, and I'm so happy about that! Otherwise, it's just my younger daughter and me, and I really have to be careful about how much I make or we are eating it for a week.
Anyway, I rarely comment on blogs in general, but couldn't resist this time!
Stephanie
I’m so thankful:
1. For electricity. Last week was hard…and cold.
2. For my hubby and his handyman abilities. He kept us going through the ice storm…and everything else that comes along.
3. For neighbors who provided things like coffee and let us come use their microwave to make our oatmeal when our generator wouldn’t run.
4. For our iPhone hotspots. We were still able to watch an episode of The Chosen one night and a movie a different night.
5. For The Chosen on Angel network…we loved it.
6. For leftover goulash from the freezer for lunch today…along with leftover gluten free cornbread…it was yummy.
7. For the bare trees in our woods…I love this time of year.
I think people are kind to you also because you seem genuinely kind, open minded, authentic, and generous. Those qualities count for a lot.
I'm thankful that I took on the volunteer job of being the treasurer at my little country church. My predecessor had the role for 25+ years, and at 78, was needing to step down. I love numbers and spread sheets and budgeting and it's just a great fit and makes serving a joy.
I'm thankful for my new-ish part time job at the hospital. I feel like I am back in my sweet spot on the Med-Surg floor and I'd forgotten how much I enjoy bedside nursing after being a school nurse for 9 years. I have so much flexibility and my supervisor is very supportive.
I am thankful for extreme winters (-45 here last weekend). The seasons amaze me, and I really love them all.
I'm thankful for this blog and the recommendations/ideas here. I often find info that I can use.
Today, DH and I toured the gardens at Sunnylands, in lovely, warm Rancho Mirage. (We just visited the free part.) At the gift shop, I saw a card that made me think of you. Instead of buying it for $5.00, I took a picture. It said, "I know everyone's telling you to be angry, but I want to tell you that it's also OK to be sad. Anger tells us to fight, but sadness tells us what to fight for."
Today is not super good, but wayyyy better than Tuesday for me this week. Here's a sampler of my thanks:
(1) I'm learning to take advantage of the good weather/"a few minutes." Today I took a walk with a coworker at the end of the workday, and THEN I took my dog on his own walk... all before the rain came!
(2) I may hate having to cohabitate with my soon-to-be-ex husband, but one of the biggest draws to this house was that I would finally (after 6 years) get my own space - a sewing/crafting room that would have also served as a spare bedroom. I adore it.
(3) The sweet smell of new growth and early flowers scenting the air on an abnormally warm day.
(4) The technology to connect with a therapist virtually, and build/maintain connections with my far-flung friends. And find a board-game group!
(5) Frozen lasagna for an easy-button dinner... and several subsequent meals. Cheaper than takeout!
I am thankful:
*for safe travels today. We were not one of the many vehicles in ditches.
*for fun music in our van.
*that my father was able to take my son to his orthodontist appointment today.
*that I will see college boy tomorrow.
*for my sister-in-law’s pregnancy.
*for clean public restrooms.
*that we are making pancakes and bacon and coffee for breakfast tomorrow. Doesn’t that sound good?
Hi! Few years ago you posted the most amazing turkey leftover sandwich and I made it a couple of times. My *then* 11yo loved but then she went vegetarian and I never made Thanksgiving turkey again. She's back to eating meat and requested that sandwich but I cannot remember anything except that it was from your blog. Would you be so kind and repost the recipe (or send it to me if it's easier ☺) Thanks a lot!
Hmm...maybe it's by Heidi at thefrugalgirls.com? This one maybe? https://thefrugalgirls.com/2009/08/stuffed-turkey-sandwich-recipe.html
Your thankfulness posts are so helpful for me in setting a good mindset, particularly during the more challenging days. Which has been this week, so I’m going to dig:
I’m thankful that even though I wasn’t feeling super great on my anniversary that we had not made more expensive plans, like fine dining or a hotel. We went to a pizza place & the movie theater. The theater seats were incredibly comfy, and a wonderful place to rest with sinus issues. *We would have just stayed home, but our kids were on a special overnight with their grandparents and it’s super rare for us to have the opportunity to get out, just us.
I’m thankful that even though I’m solo parenting (husband’s on work trip), and under the weather, that my kids are older. And there’s sunshine all weekend to play in. If they were younger, this would be so, so hard right now. The vitamin D felt so good today!
I’m thankful for the bananas that no one seemed to want (never happens, they are always quickly eaten up when yellow) that turned into delicious banana bread.
I’m thankful that each day has enough trouble of it’s own, and that we don’t have to worry about tomorrow (easier said than done).