Thankful Thursday | Ooh, spring is coming!
This week, I am thankful:
for some green leaves
I went for a walk earlier this week and it seems like almost overnight, some baby green leaves have popped up in the brush on my trails.
Yay!
that my cold is getting better
I don't even know how this is possible, but at the very end of my ski trip, I came down with a bad cold.
It had been a number of days since I'd been in the airport (longer than the rhinovirus incubation period), and after arriving, I was solely spending time with my (non-sick) family, in the condo or out on the slopes.
I am MYSTIFIED. Where did this virus come from??
(It's not the flu or the 'vid; I got tested!)
Anyway, I am super-duper happy to be improving now.
And I am grateful to have gotten sick at the tail end of my trip and not at the beginning.
for the comforts of being home
I felt really crappy the whole day that I traveled home, and being sick in an airport/airplane is just, ugh, extra bad.
I was so, so happy to get home because home is the best place to feel miserable. Ha.
that we have a water heater now
It has been such a process to get switched from the oil boiler to an electric water heater; my poor landlords have had to pay for quite a bit of labor!
But at long last, we have a functioning water heater and OHHHH it is so nice to have plenty of hot water for showers now.
that the plumbing break this week was not too bad
While the plumber was here, he was fixing something on the toilet, and while he was working on it, the very, very old pipe in the wall broke.
It was terribly corroded and probably could have broken at any time, so I'm glad it broke while he was here.
He shut the water off right away, but still, there was quite a flood both upstairs and downstairs...water was leaking through Zoe's ceiling and dripping out through her smoke detector!
The plumber was able to repair the pipe right away, and I worked on mopping up all the water, and now we are back in business with a fresh copper pipe.
I was just grateful we got to have our water turned back on in the same day. Whew.
for the flowers my friend Mia sent to me
She's a fellow single mom, so she sent me some Galentine's flowers, which was very sweet.
One of the flowers broke off during shipping, so I clipped the end and stuck it in a little jar, where it happily perked up!
for the delightful chaos Lisey brings to our house
When Lisey comes home from school each day, she brings a lot of chaotic energy with her, and Zoe and I both love it.
She's always got crazy stories from her days at trade school and we love to hear them; I feel like I know all of her classmates, even though I've never met them!
for a warm day today
It's supposed to be in the 70s today. That makes me feel a little weird, but since the temperature of the planet is beyond my personal control, I'm just gonna bask in the warm air. 😉
I think the cold viruses are very strong this year. DH and I both came down with colds in January, five days after we returned from a trip and we were masked while traveling (so six days after seeing people at a wedding). I hope you feel all better soon.
This has been a bit of a tough week so I need this exercise now more than ever.
I am thankful for a large extended family. Though we do not live near family I have four siblings and so does my husband and we have fifteen nieces and nephews. It's nice to be in each others lives and texting makes it easy to keep in touch on a regular basis.
I am thankful I was able to help out a neighbor a couple times this week. One day helping with some basic yard work and another day dropping off a few groceries.
I'm thankful for the crazy warm winter we've had. I know it is bad for the planet but since I can't control that I just appreciate each day.
I'm thankful for the time to work on cleaning out files and decluttering the house this week. Several items were dispatched via Freecycle yesterday and there will be more today and tomorrow.
I'm thankful for general good health and the ability to do the things to do to maintain that as much as possible (eat healthy food, get adequate sleep, exercise, etc.).
I feel like I fought off a bug that was circulating amongst my co-workers. All I got from it was enlarged lymph nodes. Hooray immune system! This week I am thankful for:
*sun and very mild temps - our high is 78 today
*free time this weekend to set up my sewing/crafts room and mow my yards
*friends at work that I can talk to about both things that are bugging me, and things that make me smile
*my car which is so dependable and gets such good gas mileage
*no more broken limbs on my trees and the promise of them recovering this spring
PLUS grateful I could pay someone to come help me with them!
TT, Not Thankful But Thankful Edition:
Not thankful that Kristen has been ill a second time. But thankful she's home and under the TLC of her girls and "the cat, always the cat."
Not thankful that the Bestest Neighbors learned late yesterday afternoon that they've been exposed to COVID. But thankful to them for allowing me to convert last night's planned dinner at their house to takeout. (Ms. BN makes what's probably the best fried chicken north of the Mason-Dixon Line.)
Not thankful for today's ice storm. But thankful that the storm here is, so far, not quite as bad as predicted. Also thankful that I ran all necessary errands Tuesday and Wednesday, and thus don't need to go anywhere today. I can stay home, build a fire, and rest a sore knee.
Not thankful for the two life events that sent me into an emotional trough last week. (Neither is likely to get any better, either.) But thankful that through practicing "radical acceptance," I'm climbing out of the trough. And thankful to all my friends here and at the NCA who have offered support.
@A. Marie, thinking of you and wishing you well from a distance. Hugs!
@A. Marie, All the HUGS.
@A. Marie, I love the phrase "radical acceptance." It is such a game changer to just accept terrible things. It puts you in control instead of being reactionary. Powerful stuff!
@StephanieD, this phrase comes (as you probably already know) from Buddhist practice. I learned it from the work of an author back at my former publishing company who had a lot of good ideas (many adapted from Buddhism), but with whom I had to practice it regularly!
@A. Marie, I didn't know where the phrase came from, but I sure wish I were better at practicing it. I hope you continue to feel some relief; I think of you frequently and send good wishes your way.
@A. Marie,
"Radical acceptance". I love that, and need to learn more about it. While I don't often comment (though doing more of it lately), I've been quietly rooting you on. I've been in similar troughs myself, and it's been through the support of my friends that I was able to climb out. Wishing you quiet strength and peace.
Flying while sick is the worst. That pressure change in the congested ears? Ugh. But at least you can have nice hot showers now when you're congested!
Thankfuls:
--For my co-workers/school staff. It's a small group, and one unpleasant person in it would make a very large impact. So it's really great that not one person is hard to work with. And they all, sincerely, have every student's best interests at heart.
--For OTC allergy meds. I never in my life had allergies until a couple of years ago. After a really miserable spring two years ago, I finally caved and started taking a pill every day. I HATE taking pills, but I hate going to an actual doctor even more, so I'm grateful there was an OTC option that I could get myself.
--For my children. Not without their challenges, to be sure, but every one of the four is healthy, bright, articulate, and interesting. And all in their own unique way! It's so much fun to be a mom. (Also, so loud. So, so loud . . .)
--For my husband, who is also healthy, bright, articulate, and interesting. And loud. 🙂
--For skill in the kitchen that allows me to use food as bribery. 🙂 We had a virtual schooling day on Tuesday due to a sewage issue at school, and getting my kids through that is always hard. But! It was Fat Tuesday, so I told them I would make pralines if they would get through all their work by early afternoon. They did, so I did. First time I'd ever made them--and without a candy thermometer, no less--so we all learned something on Tuesday. (They came out really well.)
@kristin @ going country, I didn’t know of any allergies until my forties, when I suddenly had a peanut allergy & later an egg allergy as well. It felt like a body betrayal for sure!
@Cathy, That's a serious bummer. Thankfully, my allergy just seems to be to the junipers here, which is way less of an inconvenience that an allergy to peanuts or eggs.
Those flowers are lovely, such a beautiful color!
This week I am thankful for:
1. Finally starting PT for my back. It's not fun as I my muscles are very stiff and tight, but I am determined to get better.
2. Ibuprofen, helps with thankful thing number 1 above.
3. Heating pads, see number 1 again.
4. Good books and magazines to pass the time while sitting on said heating pads.
5. My husband helping me work on my plants. I couldn't move the pots myself but I did finally get them cut back and ready for Spring.
Ugghhh, my husband is sick, too. Just ugghhh.
I've just come off another trip to SC to work on my dad's estate, so my TT is all about that!
I'm thankful that I drove there and back without any major headaches in traffic and that I was strong enough to do all the driving.
I'm so, so thankful for my father's friend, who rented a trailer and hauled off about 75% of what remained in my father's storage unit. And the whole time he kept telling me that if I ever needed any of it, just let him know. He acted like I was doing him a favor, but without him, I would have struggled to re-home some heavy furniture and countless boxes and bins of things I don't need or want. What a kind, generous man. My father was incredibly fortunate to have befriended him.
I'm thankful that my drives to SC are coming to an end. I may not have to go back at all, but at most, one more trip. It's bittersweet. I mean, I dislike the driving, and I don't particularly like that area, but it's where I spent time with my father and it holds a lot of memories.
I'm thankful that the division of personal property for the estate is just about done. Oof, it was a lot.
I'm thankful that brighter days are coming in this journey and that I can go on with healing without the weight of estate responsibilities. Yay.
I am thankful that I am retired and so don't have to go out in the ice storm. We have plenty of food on hand. We have underground wires so rarely lose power. We have plenty of warm clothes and bedding so can keep the indoor temperature lower to save money. Two of our cars have new tires so our son got safely to work. And he starts at 5 AM so he could just take his sweet time and not many crazy drivers out. Pictures of green growth and thoughts of 70° encourage me.
Thankful for a great yearly review, raise and bonus. I worked hard this year and so glad my boss noticed. I do have a great boss so I'm hoping we both stick together until I retire in a few years. I haven't received a good review like this since 2011, so I finally feel appreciated. I know we should not have to feel appreciated, but there were years of negative reviews and zero money from a previous boss, so this new boss helps a lot!
Thankful for family and friends.
Thankful that hubby and I went out Friday night to a new-to-us concert venue to see one of our favorite bands. I didn't want to go, but was glad we did in the end. We had a great time.
Not so thankful, however, that he doesn't want to take time off from his part-time retirement job to go visit his sister and fulfill a bucket list item by going to Wrigley Field. Sometimes this man is too conscientious! But a great quality to have!
Thankful that he has off today to take the dog to the vet and pick up at the end of the day for his neutering. And that we got a $50. off coupon for the neutering. Hopefully this puppy will calm down, but I doubt it! He is a puppy after all!
Thankful for said puppy that he is filling the void from the senior dog's death. It has helped us recover a lot. The puppy helped the senior dog for a while by becoming playmates, and now he is helping us.
@Maureen, it sounds as if all those years with an unappreciative boss stunk. I'm glad you have an appreciative one now.
And please tell your hubs to go ahead and cross off that Wrigley Field bucket list item. To paraphrase the late Ralph Kovel's line about antiquing, "You only regret what you don't buy," you only regret what you've always wanted to do but didn't do. (Within legal, moral, and reasonable limits, of course...but I think the Wrigley Field trip would qualify.)
@Maureen,
Really happy for you. The switch from an unappreciative boss to a great boss so rarely happens.
@Erika JS, @A Marie, having a great boss makes coming to work worthwhile for sure. And the hubs will not change his mind about going to Chicago (I asked 1 more time and he put up a fight!), so hopefully 2024!!!
I am always thankful for this blog, its Mayor and the community.
I am thankful for my body. It is not the most healthy, but I enjoy the life before me. I am able to get around pretty well and still work some, and have been better at keeping ahead of or at least even with chores. As I peruse the local obituaries and see how many of those younger and those my age have past from this life to the next, I am thankful indeed. (I have worked in a couple of area nursing homes, and have lots of older friends, so I like to keep up.)
I am thankful the days are getting longer. Winter is my least favorite season and am sure it is not past for this year.
I am thankful for the little snowdrops that are pushing through the ground and starting to bloom.
I am thankful that I am without need. I am able to buy what groceries and sundries I want and although I don't go overboard, I can buy myself flowers during the winter.
As always, I am thankful for my dog, Molly. She sheds a lot, but I'd rather have that than not have her.
I am also thankful for British tea, sweetened, hot or iced.
Hmm, I woke up feeling slightly cruddy (fungal infection die-off in my sinuses) so this is a good exercise for me.
I suppose I should be grateful that my antifungal regimen is working--if it wasn't I wouldn't be having these particular symptoms. They're not fun, but in the long run I'll be better for it.
It is a beautiful warm sunny day here (unusual for February in Ohio, it won't last, but we'll enjoy it while it does), so I can open the windows and get fresh air in the house, which is always welcome.
Still very grateful for the new laundry unit. It's normal to go hunting for things to wash, isn't it, after you've lived so long with a washer that couldn't tolerate washing anything bulkier than a single king-sized sheet, and a dryer that wouldn't dry anything well? Last week I washed every single towel in the house JUST BECAUSE I COULD. I went around knocking on the kids' doors and asking to wash their comforters. It occurs to me that sometimes it is good for us to go without for a while so that we can be grateful for things we would otherwise take for granted. For several months we made do with a small glass turntable in the microwave that didn't quite fit, until we could order an actual replacement, and its' a pleasure to use the microwave now without the turntable wobbling and making strange sounds!
Grateful for autonomous, helpful older kids. My husband has been traveling more for work, and this would be harder if they were younger or less inclined to help out.
And grateful for my husband, who works very hard to provide for us and to be there for us.
@Karen A., Such a joyful post (infection aside)! You remind me of a kid after a particularly desired present (a washing machine!!) was under the tree on Christmas. You've inspired me to go on a gratitude tour around my house -- so many things I've taken for granted that are really miracles.
@Karen A., I have a new washer, too! Mine sings a happy song when it's done with a load. It loves doing laundry more than I do. 😉
@JDinNM, I do feel like a kid at Christmas! My own kids are also pleased to be doing laundry with such a reliable machine; one said they feel like we have a laundromat now. Ha.
@Kris, Aw, that's neat! Nicer than a loud buzzing sound (we had a dryer that would do that, give off an awful horrid BEEEP when it was done. Luckily we could turn it off).
On the sofa with a blanket and a cat, the best place to recover!
This week I am thankful
-for having the time to cook nearly all of our meals;
-for less knee pain and more opportunity to walk, leading to stronger legs and less knee pain, etc.;
-for our choir with its wonderful people and the beautiful music we sing for our next concert(I highly recommend Gjeilo. He is one of my favourite living composers);
-for my husband's current streak of decluttering. We get to give or throw away stuff every week and that makes cleaning so much easier;
-that although the past years were challenging, covid19 also brought us blessings: I have less travel time and was able to take up outdoor swimming as a result. And our very nervous cat has become a thriving cat with a beautiful glossy coat of hair now that we work from home most of the time.
Flying with a stuffed-up head is the worst—glad you are feeling better!
This week I'm thankful for:
1. My job. I haven't been back to work yet but sweet notes from coworkers cheered me up.
2. It suddenly feels as though we're turning the corner to spring here, although I haven't noticed any interesting buds or shoots yet.
3. My feral kitties. It's a chore to care for them, since I have to drive to feed them every day, but I'm always glad when I did, since they are so happy to see me and greet me.
4. My miserable grief seems to be abating somewhat. Though I still envy people with good health, with healthy friends and family.
5. My mother's colon cancer seems like it will be survivable.
@Rose, I'm so glad to hear about your mom. My grandmother died from colon cancer when I was very young, so I have no memories of her; she waited too long to go to a doctor, apparently. And I'm glad you're feeling better, too. Remember that even those who seem like they have it all are likely envying somebody else for their own reasons!
Plumbing problems are a big bummer! Glad that it was taken care of promptly with the plumber being onsite.
Your purple flowers are lovely. I think I'll pick up a bouquet to gift a friend. Thanks for the inspiration!
This week, I'm especially thankful for all the care my late father gave me.
After sleeping under blankets last week with most nights in the 30's, we have days predicted to reach 85 and nights in the 60's this weekend. Everything is blooming and sprouting.
1. I'm thankful because I think (hope!) my citrus trees might have survived the deep freeze this winter. I think I see some green budding, but it looks like I will have a lot of dead limb trimming to do. The elderberries, mulberries and blueberries did well but I'm still waiting on the blackberries, boysenberries, persimmon and nectarine to declare. The old fig tree is popping out leaves right and left, so I'm thankful for that.
2. I'm thankful for the touching and solemn Ash Wednesday service yesterday at church. On a lighter note, I'm thankful I had leftovers ready to heat and eat last night after fasting during the daylight hours, so no waiting to cook.
3. I'm thankful that we can go online and look up homes. Two of the three homes I grew up in burned, but my first home is still standing and I can see it online, from 700 miles away. It had been looking rough, but I'm delighted to see it is now spruced up and looking quite nice. I'm also thankful to see that the screened porch, which we kids often slept on in those un-air conditioned summer days, is still there. So many of those old screened porches got glassed in or torn off once air-conditioning became common. My dad, with help from an uncle and grandfather, built that house, so it's special to me.
4. I'm thankful that when it looked like my sister wasn't going to have a vehicle to come visit me last weekend, due to mechanical trouble, one of her dear friends loaned her the friend's SUV. Not only did the visit happen, but she was still able to bring the little desk she was giving me, in that SUV.
5. I'm thankful for ceiling fans. I refuse to turn on air conditioning in February (!), so I am very thankful that we put ceiling fans all over the house when we built. With some windows up and the fans on, I'm very comfortable.
@JD, I occasionally do online checks on the home in SE TN where I lived from birth to age 12 (see my response to @Ruby below). I haven't visited in person since spring 2009, but I was moved beyond words to see then that though the house was in need of some repair, no one had ever put weedkiller on the lawn--so the carpet of wildflowers I remembered from early childhood (spring beauties, buttercups, etc.) was intact.
@JD, I thought I was the only one who looks up houses I've lived in! My childhood home is still there, as is my grandfather's house, where I spent many happy summer days playing in the barns and learning to drive a tractor. And open a coconut. My grandpa had many skills.
@A. Marie,
That must have been lovely! I hope they always grow there!
I’m thankful for this morning’s nap on the couch with my cat. My husband was called off of work because of the cold, so instead of spending my morning packing his lunch, making our breakfast, etc., I just dozed off with my 17 lb cat on my chest. We have a feline trio, but as he’s the former street cat with the scars to match, his cuddles are extra special. My husband I often joke that—scars not withstanding—the street cat story was a ruse, as he’s such a loving, pushy boy—when he wants attention, he wants it NOW. He also snores adorably, which makes for good naps. 😉
Know the expression "the calm before the storm"? I'm thankful for the calm *after* the storm that brought 60-80mph winds all. day. long. yesterday. I completely understand how people went insane during the Dust Bowl. I'm thankful that except for a few branches the trees seem to be intact; that I was able to release into the wild the tumbleweeds the size of Volkswagen Beetles that blew onto my property from my neighbors' yards; that my friends agreed to postpone our dinner out until tonight; that I didn't have to be anywhere yesterday that would have required me to be out driving my car when all the traffic lights went out; and that my frisbee-catching HurriK9-playing dog was as understanding as she could be that yesterday was not a great day to be tossing things up in the air (never to be seen again). It is eerily quiet out there this morning. Thank goodness.
@JDinNM, We had those terrible winds in Arizona yesterday, too. I did not leave the house except to bring in the trash can before it blew away.
@Beth B., One of my friends was in Maricopa yesterday (she splits her year between AZ and NM) and also reported "terrible winds" (her words) and "25% of the garbage cans" blown away (not sure she went outside to do that calculation!). Here is NM we just think it's the start of what other people call "Spring"; Summer, Fall, Winter, Wind.
@JDinNM, and someone sent me this helpful list titled "Seasons of New Mexico":
Winter
Fool's Spring
Second Winter
Spring of Deception
Third Winter
The Pollening
Actual Spring
Summer
Hell's Front Porch
False Fall
Second Summer
Actual Fall
Shampoo, rinse, repeat....
@JDinNM, surprisingly, I can completely relate to those seasons in Northern Illinois/Southern Wisconsin!
Plumbing in a 1950s house can be filled with surprises. Thank goodness all is well now, Kristen.
Thankful today to be celebrating my husband's 65th birthday, and also to be cuddling our 17-year-old former street cat in my lap. Both are such good guys. Also daily thankful that I know how to cook, as our food inflation buster is home-cooked everything so that we can stick to a tight budget. Thankful for the little dark coral buds on the flowering quince bushes along our fence and the first wild violets in the grass. Those pops of color are so cheery after a long winter.
@Ruby, we had flowering quince at the home in SE TN where I lived from birth to age 12. My mother (possibly the least botanical person ever) always called them just "japonica" bushes, but she seems to have been in good company, as per Wikipedia:
These plants have also been called "Japanese quince," and the name "japonica" (referring to C. japonica) was widely used for these plants in the 19th and 20th centuries, although this common name is not particularly distinctive, since japonica is a specific epithet shared by many other plants.
At any rate, they did occasionally produce fruits, and I used to wonder about them, although I was always discouraged from picking them. Now, of course, I'd be looking up recipes for quince!
@A. Marie, these are actual quince, with the thorns, but don't set fruits because they have large double blossoms. DH planted a thicket of them along our fence to discourage our dogs from charging at the neighbors.
I live in the little city east of the ridge from where you grew up: you can figure out the name from that broad hint. It's only about 15 minutes into downtown of the big city, but the property taxes are much cheaper. Our neighborhood was a Jewish enclave in the late 1950s and our house had a huge laundry room that was the original kosher kitchen. It's such a cool place to live.
@Ruby, I know *exactly* where you're talking about! My best friend in high school lived in that neighborhood, and although her parents kept kosher, I don't recall that they had a separate kosher kitchen. Still, what a delightful coincidence!
I must be your virus twin, because I also spent the last few days skiing and then became sick. It is not serious just uncomfortable. Every time I get a cold I regret not having the "expensive" Kleenex with lotion lying around.
I am thankful for my otherwise normally excellent health.
I'm thankful for -
1. the wide world web and the connections it gives me to people, not to mention the convenience of ordering my groceries online and banking and such.
2. for my neighbours who have shoveled my driveway and pathways all winter
3. for another neighbour who has helped with drives for my daughter when I am not able
4. for my Mum who comes over once a week, tidies up and makes me lunch.
5. for my sisters who come to visit and help out in any way they can.
I'm a very blessed person!
@Leann,
LOVE your list! You are so impressive and inspiring, even if you don't feel/know it. A blessed day to you.
@st, Thank you so much. Some days are harder than others, without a doubt. But for the most part, I'm really, really lucky. And blessed, yes. I hope you have a wonderful day too.
Funny, it's cold and snowy here. Bletch!
But here's some good news from me:
* My hearing tests have come back and while I still have some issues with vertigo and such, I have had no permanent hearing loss. In fact, my hearing has come back better than average for someone my age! Three years ago I developed some issues and as recent as last year I was thinking that hearing aids were definitely in the not too distant future for me.
* For a chance to play some video games both alone and with my daughter. I went a long time without getting to play any games and it's nice to be able to do that again. It's a hobby I enjoy so it's good to have time again.
* For not getting car sick when reading. My daughter does and she's a bit envious that I can read in the car without issues.
* For how many great cartoons are on Tubi for free. My daughter and I have been watching stuff like Scooby Doo, The Super Mario Bros Super Show (the one from the late 80s) and Madeline.
* That work is starting to recognize some of my skills and I'm getting put on some projects as a lead.
@Battra92, When I went to my facial physical therapist, she tested me for balance issues because sometimes when your facial nerve is paralyzed you get vertigo. And I got the impression that they have therapy to help with vertigo. Maybe it's worth checking out.
@Battra92, Can I ask what was causing your hearing loss? I was diagnosed a couple of years ago with mild hearing loss in one ear, in which I also have tinnitus. Once he determined it wasn't an acoustic tumor, the doctor was completely uninterested in helping figure out what was causing it and told me to just come back in one year and see if it was worse.
@Jody S., I have a good friend who works as an OT at an outpatient clinic dedicated to treating balance disorders. There are many reasons for vertigo and some therapists specialize in treating balance/vertigo/dizziness. My sister had a major "attack" of vertigo over Christmas and is still struggling--I finally talked her into going to the balance center (rather than her local PT--her problems weren't resolving and it was time to dig deeper for a solution, as it was becoming obvious that she needed treatment from people with more in-depth training--I'm not trying to knock her original PT). All to say, you are correct, there are therapists who are specially trained in working with this and I agree that Battra92 may benefit.
@Kris, Yes. When I went to a regular PT for my facial paralysis, he really didn't know what to do. The folks I'm going to now (Center for Facial Recovery). . . well, it's all in the name, right? The struggle is in getting the information out there (even to doctors who don't know such a therapy exists).
@Karen A., I think there might be specialized therapy for tinnitus. It's worth looking into.
This week I’m thankful for: winter storm edition! A winter storm rolled through this week and the flurries should be done this by afternoon.
- Winter storms are common in my state and our infrastructure is ready to deal with what Mother Nature sends our way. I have a feeling we will back to our normal lives tomorrow.
- Our school district let us know on Tuesday that school would be virtual on Wednesday and Thursday. My son would have preferred two snow days but virtual school gave him some structure for the day so I could focus on work.
- We didn’t get as many inches of snow as was predicted. Hopefully this means clean up should go faster on the roads! And even though travel is not advised, thankfully we don’t HAVE to go anywhere so we can avoid the roads until they are cleared.
- I work form home Wednesday-Friday so this storm didn’t really throw off my routine.
- We have a warm, cozy house so even though the temps as low we are safe and warm.
- I’m ready for spring but the winter wonderland outside is beautiful!
Those flowers are so pretty!
That my daughter will get her driver's permit today (we know this because she took the test yesterday and missed one more than was allowed - she knows which one she missed, so today should be easy!).
That TSA found (same) daughter's apple watch when she left it at security at the airport.
Also thankful that Apple watches have such good tracking. It eased her mind to see that it hadn't "wandered off" after she left it.
That my husband had a good job interview yesterday. He was laid off and is in a very niche field, so finding an opening at all is tough, but this one seems tailor made for him! Fingers crossed.
I am thankful for the snow! (Also thankful that it won't be sticking around too long because this southern California girl likes to be warm.)
I am thankful that lowering my thyroid meds just a bit seems to be slowing my heart rate and not causing to much additional chaos.
I am thankful for my radiant heater that is keeping my office nice and toasty.
I am thankful for my lovely morning coffee and lots of decaf tea.
I am thankful for a day off with my husband tomorrow! It is likely to rain all day so we will just have to sit on the couch and read.
Thankful for my mom. I know two people who lost their moms this week and it must be so hard. No matter how old I get, she's the one who always thinks of me. What a luxury in life to be loved.
It is so weird to hear about temps in the 70s along the east side of the country while we're in the 40s and expecting snow this week in the Los Angeles area. So weird.
Oh and I'm thankful my kids are getting bigger. I love and miss the days when they were tiny but I also love the fact that they can do things like make chocolate souffles mostly on their own and order me a boba on my phone while I drive to go pick it up!
Kristen, soooo glad those plumbing problems worked out as they did, my goodness! Also, I love how you love Lisey's energy for your home.
This week I’m grateful for my DH's continuing improvement from surgery, slowly but indeed surely.
I’m thankful for the nice weather that makes it easy to get around and be outside.
Very thankful for grocery delivery and online shopping ease that allow us to get what we need when you can’t get into the shops for a time.
I'm thankful that my past self put in so much effort learning how to be sick. I have significant chronic illness, and I did several programs learning how to be in pain, but still have a good life.
This past week I agreed to go on a walk in a new forest preserve with my husband, and because it was a new place and it had just snowed several inches (so the minimal paths were fully obscured), we got lost. In the end, what we had planned on as an easy 45 minute walk turned into over three hours trudging through deep snow while lost.
Even though I was exhausted and in great pain, I was able to stay calm and remind myself that even in pain I can enjoy what there is to be enjoyed, and even if I feel upset my partner got us lost, I can still be pleasant and cheerful (or just be quiet!) knowing that he was trying his best too. And also to know that even though my body was hurting, I was able to keep moving even though it was hard. And the alternative would be to make the trip miserable for both of us, or lie down in the snow to die (ha) that I had more tenacity than that.
So in the end we had an adventure that I can look back at fondly, even though it was extremely challenging for me. So I'm thankful I put in the work to learn how to be the type of person who can perservere and make a positive experience even when it's difficult.
I am very impressed with your ability to reframe your difficulties!
@Rachel, I am in awe of your ability to not take out your pain/frustration on your poor husband. Honestly, it puts me to shame when I think of some of my meltdowns...thank you for writing this today.
@Rachel,
I, too, loved hearing of your impressive reframing and enduring difficulty while staying cheerful. It makes me aspire to being a better person! Thank you for stating it so well.
@Rachel, That's fantastic. Kudos to you.
@Lindsey, that's why I'm thankful, is it took a LOT of work to get me here! And I'm far from perfect, but the Rachel from five years ago would have had a very different reaction to that situation, ha! We all have space to grow, and it was nice to have such a clear indicator that the work I put in is having an impact. <3
@Kristen, honestly, me too!! Ha! This is actually my first thankful Thursday, I just feel so proud of myself 🙂
@Erika JS, thank you! We all have room to grow, and it was nice to have evidence that the work was worth the effort. I know if this happened a few years ago it would have looked very different to say the least!
@Rose, thank you <3
70 degrees sounds so warm!
And those flowers! Beautiful.
TT:
Fresh snow. Weather is out of my control so I’m going to take joy in the black dirty snow being covered up with a fresh blanket of pure snow.
People who care. Not much more I can say except that I have been surrounded by a fierce love in this newish place with no judgement or harshness. Just tenderness.
My daughter who loves to bake. It’s been such a gift to watch her flourish in the kitchen and need my help less and less but still desire to share the experience with me.
Morning quiet before the kids woke up on a day off school. Rarely am I up first and it’s a treasure when I get that kind of quiet.
Books and the imagination they cultivate in my kids. I hear book references throughout the day and it tickles me how much they stick.
Sanded floors upstairs. Need to do some hand sanding around edges, and poly it but the end of this project is in sight!
Kristen I had to laugh at your post title today "oooh Spring is coming", it made me smile; where I am that is decidedly not the case (Spring I mean), which leads me to a couple of weather related Thankfuls:
We got a major dumping of snow, for which I am thankful because it was not ice as many areas received.
Also, my HB used the snowblower to clear the driveway and the walkway to the front door; usually I shovel the walkway but today the snow was mega heavy, and since I hurt my lower back last July I am still being very careful until I can get to see a Physiotherapist (planning that for the Spring).
Also, since we downsized to one vehicle, it now lives in the garage so I didn't have to clear mounds of snow off said vehicle. We used to have 2 cars and one always lived outside and it was my job to clear the snow off that vehicle; it is now gone, I gifted it to my BFF's son.
I am not venturing out today (I usually grocery shop on a Thursday or Friday), so I am thankful for enough food in the house to keep us going.
Haha, yes, I am WAY south of Canada!
Thankful for the crocuses that starting blooming behind my house this week.
Thankful that we got the milder end of the winter storm--snow first, then sleet and freezing rain, so school was cancelled again today, but at least we have power, unlike my friend near Detroit.
Thankful for my daughter who helped me clear the driveway this morning. That was NOT a pleasant experience. The snow absorbed the other precipitation and froze. If I was doing that task alone, I would have probably been tempted to to give up and/or cry.
Thankful that I'm in good enough shape to do the shoveling.
Thankful that my daughter had fun (and snow) on her winter youth group retreat this past weekend. Winter retreats are more fun if the weather is actually wintry.
Thankful that my husband and I can still have fun when it's just the 2 of us. It can be so easy to let life revolve around your kid's activities. I'm trying to be mindful of that, and incorporate some "us" time, since in a little over a year, we will be empty nesters.
*I am thankful that my dad's starting to feel better. We've got a nasty cold, but he has COPD. I worry.
*I am thankful I held out on getting sick until other people were starting to feel better because I can crash while other people take care of things.
*I am thankful for my funny and thoughtful children.
*I am thankful for people who will thoughtfully listen to another point-of-view without name-calling and who will ask sincere questions. If folks knew how to communicate with other folks effectively, our world would look so different.
*I am thankful the soup I made last night without a recipe wasn't a flop. That's happened plenty of times before.
*I am thankful that when I couldn't sleep late last night, my college boy wanted to talk on the phone. We had a good conversation.
*There has been a tragedy (a young mother's unexpected death) in my husband's extended family. I'm not thankful for that. But I am thankful that her family seems to be receiving a lot of love and support.
*I am thankful that warm weather is on its way.
1. My thankfulness all has to do with surviving yet another surgery early this week.
2. Every single provider I had contact with, from clerks to nurses to surgeons, was cheerful, efficient, and competent.
3. The hidden staff, like the janitors and kitchen staff obviously perform their jobs well. I didn't notice this until I stayed in a Seattle hospital where they sometimes forgot to feed patients and the food was not very healthy, and the janitor who came to my room actually picked up a magazine on my table (without asking) and sat down and had a nice long read in my visitor's chair! Another day he dug the newspaper out of my trash and had himself another read.
4. The doctor noticed my anxiety and they gave me something as soon as I got into the pre-surgery area. By the time they wheeled me into the OR I was pretty calm.
5. The husband, always the husband. He even endured hateful looks and barks from the pound hound when he came in the house first and put a lease on the dog so that he could control how ecstatically I was greeted.
6. We, too, are having heavy snowfall, so it is nice to be in my own house, looking out at the flakes falling on the river.
@Lindsey, I'm so glad that all aspects of the surgery went well. And please tell Pound Hound that he's just going to have to control his rampant euphoria a bit till Mama gets better. Having your hubs leash him when you came home was definitely a good idea.
@Lindsey,
Very glad that your surgery had a good outcome and the staff this time was more professional. Man, that janitor! We had a cleaning guy at the museum where I worked who would sit at the front desk and read the Sunday paper most of his shift….but it wasn’t a hospital for goodness sake!
Wow, leaves..... Here in Northern New England, we won't see those for another couple months.
Airplanes are notorious germ recyclers. Maybe from there??
There is nothing worse than being sick on a plane and having to travel. I got a gnarly flu travelling back from Europe to the US when I was a teenager and I still haven't forgotten how awful that 12+ hours were. I am glad yours is starting to be on the downhill. I have kinda a rough two weeks or so, so I am actually really grateful that I have this post to reflect.
1. Vaccinations. My parents came down with covid after 3 years and multiple vaccinations. My mom was out of commission for a few days but my dad spent almost a week in the hospital. If he had gotten this before his shots, he might have died.
2. A handy husband that indulges me. Our floor replacement project has now turned into floors AND turn an useless space in our upstairs into a laundry room. It will be SO nice to not have to get dressed to go out to our detached garage to laundry one day.
3. Snow. Sorry Midwesterners, I am from California. This winter storm we are bracing for this weekend will really help our drought come summer. And I just want a few more days with fluffy white stuff on the ground.
4. Bright colors. As much as I love the snow, soothing neutrals and calming backgrounds; I love my color. I have turned my room in the crew house in a tie-dyed/twinkle light fairy hut and I am slowly adding bright pops of color to my house. It just fits my personality so much better than the shades of greige that seem to be everywhere.
5. My best guy friend. I have been friends with Josh since 7th grade and we have recently been reconnecting more. I hadn't realized how much I missed him and it's so nice.
@Heather, "greige" is so meh. I had a friend who lived in colors she referred to as camel, fawn, oatmeal, tan, and taupe. I would say, "THEY ARE ALL BEIGE!"
-I'm thankful I got to see my aunt when we were traveling. It wasn't going to work out to see her....then at the last moment it did! Every time I see her I realize it could be the last time. She is in very poor health.
-I'm thankful we got to see my husband's aunt too. The last person we know who can tell us what my 60 yr old husband was like as a baby.
-I'm so thankful to be home. I love staying home.
-I'm thankful that my son gets to work with my husband....I've mentioned my son was suicidal this time last year & he divorced last March. I'm so thankful for his friendship with his dad & how much they enjoy each other's company.
-I'm thankful for the positive feedback both my son & husband are getting at work.
-Super thankful for time with my grandson. Thankful that he asks every few days to come spend that night & that I can say yes every time he asks!
I am thankful for Sara Teasdale
“For I was born the sea's eternal thrall.
I would that I were there and over me
The cold insistence of the tide would roll,
Quenching this burning thing men call the soul,—
Then with the ebbing I should drift and be
Less than the smallest shell along the shoal,
Less than the sea-gulls calling to the sea.”
An important medical test came back with the desired results.
With the help of a nice phone-based secretary I was able to schedule two tests one the same day.
The tests are near this terrific crepe place that always makes my special order perfectly and with great cheer.
That over half a year of brisk walking has led to being able to walk/run for close to an hour. Think Couch-to-Five-K type workout but not as organized.
I am sooo thankful that the stress test that I had today was anything but stressful. I did the appropriate amount of stressing over the stress test yesterday. Today was almost like a day at the spa. The people that I worked with were very nice and personable. One guy set up his phone to 80's music for me while I did my nuclear stress test and then lent me his phone while I was having the pictures taken.
2. I felt very independent going to and from the test by myself.
3. Thankful that I survived not eating until getting a snack at the test facility. Couldn't do my insulin in the a.m. but my glucose meter kept me on track.
4. Ok, this may sound like bragging but my blood pressure was pretty low today and I didn't take a blood pressure pill. It was 100/60. Maybe I should talk to my doctor about stopping the blood pressure pills. This miracle happened due to my gastric sleeve surgery in 2021.
5. For my hubby who is such a great guy. He made dinner tonight even though I could have. Then he cleaned up the kitchen too. Well, loaded the dishwasher. I don't think he wiped the counters off.
Your plumbing situation sounds adventurous! But yes, that's very fortunate that it happened while he was there.
We had a massive, day-long ice storm yesterday... Probably the biggest one I've ever experienced. The cleanup will take weeks. When I walk around my backyard and look at all of the beautiful trees that have been destroyed my heart sighs and sags. That being said, there's much to be thankful for!
* I'm thankful that we have power! A massive branch fell in our front yard and ripped the internet line and power line off our house. We lost our internet (I'm using data at the moment), but somehow still have power. Most people I know don't have power right now. We still have a live power line in our front yard, but we are safe inside.
* I'm thankful that the damage to things other than trees was limited to those lines and one part of a fence. Nothing fell on our house or our cars or our swing set!
* I'm thankful for the ways my husband's work was able to help the community today. They made meals for first responders and utility workers, offered a place for people to fill water jugs, and offered activities for families. I volunteered for a few hours and loved seeing the way everyone at the top was coming together and really had a heart to serve.
* I'm thankful for library books. Books don't need the internet.
You are very blessed you are renting and do not have to worry about repair bills and hot water heaters . Glad you are feeling better.
I know, right? I kinda pay for them in my rent, but still, it's nice to have a consistent amount to pay each month. No surprises!
I am thankful for:
A parenting podcast that came to me at exactly the right time and has been super helpful.
A date night with my hubby. He got free tickets to a basketball game, we have a giftcard to a restaurant, and my parents agreed to watch the kiddos. Woo hoo!
A bright sun on a cold winter day. The sunshine makes a big difference when it is cold out.
Kristen, almost everyone I know (including myself) has come down with a cold in a week or two after having the 'vid. And it is always a very rough cold. Just add it to the mysteries of that stupid plague. . . sigh.
Thankfuls:
1. Having so much work that I forgot to check this blog (not thankful to miss the post, but thankful for the work)
2. Husband took on a project and I only have to occasionally offer a pat on the back
3. Snow! (happens every few years around here)
4. Daffodils in bloom (they'll pop back up off the mud when the snow/rain stops)
5. Yarn (that I don't need) on sale
I'm thankful:
1. That my new oncologist told me there's a less than 5% chance of cancer recurring in me. Then he said 0.5%. Even better! (Thank you, Jesus! By your stripes I AM healed!)
2. My write-up in the little daily devotional magazine will run on my grandmother's birthday. Its subject? Respecting the elderly!
3. For signs of life in my English ivy patch: very small new green leaves poking up from the ground. I was afraid the sudden freeze had ruined the whole thing, and was dreading having to replant that large of an area.
4. Because my upcoming CT scan will be done in my town, not 30 miles away and not 100 miles away. Also because they will do an IV line instead of having me drink that contrast liquid.
5. That I was able to substitute teach in the ISS (In School Suspension) room without incident; in fact, the kids in there behaved better than kids in most regular classrooms. Also thankful that the fight in the halls that day happened after school was out, so the combatants were not sent up to the ISS classroom where I subbed.
What wonderful news from your oncologist. Yay!!