Thankful Thursday | our doorbell is really something!
This week, I am thankful:
for giggles over our doorbell
This week, Lisey realized that our vintage doorbell can play something like 25 different tunes. She got up on a chair and was running through them all the other night, and the way she was doing it was so funny.
Lisey makes Zoe and me laugh all the time and MAN we are gonna miss her when she graduates!
for a full house
As I type this on Wednesday night, Sonia and Zoe are hanging out together here, and Lisey's boyfriend is over too. My driveway is full of cars, and it makes me happy that they all want to be here.
for blueberry pancakes
I am on a serious blueberry pancake kick right now. SO GOOD.
I've been using this whole wheat pancake recipe, and I just add blueberries.
I have buttermilk at the moment, but when I don't, I've been using a half yogurt/half milk mixture in place, and that works great.
for my front window
I am having so much more success with houseplants now that I have a bow window!
for beautiful frosty mornings
Of course, I will welcome the spring change when it arrives in a few months.
But for now, I am appreciating the beauty of the frozen world on my early morning walks.
Every season has its own particular beauty, and this is true even in the dead of winter.
that Lisey passed all her FAA tests so far
She's got the written ones all done, and later this month she's got the oral and practical tests to navigate.
Those are apparently easier than the written ones, though, so I think she will do just fine.
for the friendship Lisey has with one of my classmates
Lisey is REALLY REALLY good at letter rearranging games, like Anagrams on the iMessage game app.
In my psych class last semester, we did a game sort of like Anagrams, and one of my classmates was super good at it. I said, "Oh, you should try playing with my daughter."
So, she gave me her number and I gave it to Lisey and now they have been playing Anagrams every day, even though they've never met in person.
I think they are up to 300 games now, and this makes me smile.
for cat snuggles
She snuggles with Zoe most of the time...but she sometimes takes a little break to come snuggle with me.
How I love that I can (usually) read your posts over my late morning coffee break Kristen!
The feeling of having everyone of your "pack" near you, just makes you feel wonderfully complete.
Many thankfuls this week, here just a few:
For improving eyesight
For people who invent(ed) things that improve other people's health and lives
For learning new things. The stain removal post was useful and also incredibly funny. Plus I expanded my English vocabulary again (HOA)!
For how my husband enjoys his present job, that he found at 60 after long term unemployment
For the regularity of our garbage collection - so mundane but so much appreciated!
As long as I have managed to keep slightly ahead of the game and schedule posts to be published early in the morning, the yes, the time difference between your place in the world and mine must work out perfectly!
Same here! I live in California and always enjoy reading your posts in the morning. Your thankful Thursday posts are my favorites, just because they make me think about things I'm grateful for in my own life. They always set me up for a great day! 🙂
We have a doorbell that is about twenty years old that plays a variety of tunes. I think we bought it at Lowe's.
I am thankful for a good report after special tests on my eyes. I don't have glaucoma and my maculars look good. It seems like once you hit 60 medical professionals work hard to find things wrong with you.
I am thankful that some back pain I was having has mostly subsided, I think due to changes in what I was doing. I didn't realize it was making me feel a bit like an old person until it improved.
I am thankful for mild winter days and the ability to be outside every day.
I am thankful I was able to go to lunch with a couple of friends yesterday. One friend I had not seen in a while. It was nice to know everyone is doing well.
I am thankful I have had just a mild cold this week. No Covid and no disruption to my schedule, just masking for the protection of others when I'm out.
I'm thankful my niece was able to start Covid vaccination for her six month old and get a booster dose for her two year old. Two years ago most of us were waiting for vaccine availability and the littles had to wait a long time for approval/administration.
I'm thankful a friend's college freshman wanted to hang out with my friend, a mutual friend, and me before she headed back to college last week.
I've never commented on this before, so these aren't just for this week.
That I can still work from home and that won't be changing
That I can afford the highest gas bill we have ever had in 40 years living in this house (even though the thermostat is set at 63 at night and 65 during the day)
That I found a doctor that was smart enough to figure out that my headaches are due to food allergies, and not a brain tumor (which was what the first doctor wanted to check for first)
For my daily walks with my close friend
That I have many siblings that are also good friends
@Mary Ann, food allergies are an annoyance or even dangerous in come cases, but how great to hear it was not the second option. I have never heard of food allergies causing headaches. May I ask for which foods? One of my children has chronic headaches as well.
@Mary Ann, I had migraines for some time until I had found my current doctor who mentioned food allergies can trigger them. Through self-testing, (with her approval), I discovered I cannot eat blue or green molded cheeses, and red wine due to the sulfates in it. I no longer drink at all now, but when I did I avoided all wine and am careful with cheese, (white mold on cheese is not a problem.)
Also, poor sleep hygiene was also an issue for me. I worked a job with crazy variable hours and did not sleep well. When I left it and got back to a regular sleep schedule I rarely got migraines anymore.
@Kristina M., I know someone who gets migraines from chocolate and from MSG. And someone else who gets them from chocolate, wine, and anything with nitrates.
@Mary Ann, I have food allergies/intolerances that manifest as terrible abdominal pain for the rest of the day (goes away when I sleep). It took a change of doctors (after a year) to figure out what was going on. Having a good doctor is truly something to be thankful for.
@Mary Ann, I'm glad you found a good doctor. I have struggled with migraines for years, and tried all sorts of things, including green light (which I found was actually very helpful during an attack).
I have recently discovered that what I thought was an intolerance to chocolate, was actually a sugar intolerance. Once I cut out sugar my migraines got less frequent (and I can have sugar free chocolate, hurrah! ;))
@DCO, yes, you are right. I did not think of those. Was thinking of specifically an allergic reaction vs intolerance (not that it really matters as the end result is avoidance).
@Kristina M., oh the list is long. Severe allergy to pineapple, spinach, and celery. Luckily I don't really care about these, but then they can sneak up on you. Who knew pineapple juice was in Lidl BBQ sauce? Well I do now after getting a headache after dinner and trying to figure out why.
I have mild allergies to peas, salmon, broccoli, scallops, almonds, pecans, cottonseed oil, walnuts, and strawberries. I've been testing some of these in small doses. Sometimes a small amount is okay.
I'm so glad this was figured out because besides getting a headache during the day, I was waking up between 2 and 4 almost every night with one, and to make matters worse, the headache is worse laying down. So after taking a pain reliever, I tried to fall back asleep sitting up. Because of this, a sleep study was also done to be sure I wasn't getting oxygen-deprived at night (which I was not).
My life is sooo much better now!
@Mary Ann, oh my, sorry about the long list, but I'm glad you're finding some relief! My husband is also allergic to pineapple, which is so commonly hid in many salsas and flavorful sauces. He's also allergic to several nuts such as walnut, but apparently it is the pollen of these nut trees he's allergic to, giving him hives. Luckily not the more serious nut allergy.
It is a beautiful thing to enjoy your daughters. I have noticed that you never mention your son anymore. Has he moved a distance away?
Our relationship is really hard right now, and that's about all I can say. But thank you for asking. <3
I’m thankful that the week is almost over. I’m also thankful for numerous examples of people’s kindness.
I spent New Year’s week scrambling through an unexpected - but very much needed and welcomed - house move. In the middle of that, we were robbed, and lost many things that were personally, even if not always financially valuable.
But the care and kindness of the people around us has helped us through it will help me to almost look back on the whole thing almost a little bit fondly.
@Kate, Oh, I'm so sorry. But I'm glad you had kind people around you.
Oh dear, I've been robbed numerous times and it's the worst feeling. My sympathies.
@Kate,
That's terrible! I'm so glad you are able to see a thanksgiving in this, and I hope the kindness you've received will outweigh the bad.
@Kate, a robbery in the middle of a move? Ouch!! But I'm glad you have received help and support from other folks.
@Kate, I'm so sorry! That really stinks! I am glad to hear that others stepped up to help.
Oh Kate, I am so very sorry that this happened to you!
Actually I believe robberies during moves are pretty common, sadly. By either third parties or the movers themselves. Former FIL had some signed Picasso prints stored with us and they disappeared during a move. Pretty sure it was the movers. They can recognize a Picasso signature when they see one. Anyway they disappeared; I never cared much because FIL and because they were ugly anyway. I think FIL thought I sold them but I didn't.
@Kate, I have never heard of someone being robbed during a move! How terrible for you!! Glad people around you responded with care and kindness.
@Kate, I am so sorry to read about the robbery, particularly the personal items. I've moved many times and had damages, but never robbery, that I'm aware of anyway. I'm glad you had support and kindness to take your focus off your loss.
This week I'm thankful....
- that in the past week I've made significant progress on my dad's estate. Two big things happened and are done with, yeah! I still have a ways to go, but it's good to celebrate the progress.
- that I made it to and from SC safely on my own. I don't prefer to travel alone, but sometimes it's necessary. I'm also thankful that my husband got my car tires replaced before my trip, and I'm thankful for a kind person who made me feel welcome while I was away...and not alone.
- that my husband and I are going away for a few days in a belated birthday celebration. I have so much to do today to prepare, but it's going to be great.
- for kind people in customer service. In the past week I've had to call twice about my travel plans, and the people on the other end of the phone were SO KIND. And fun. And it made my day.
- for my bed and my pillows. Man, there's nothing like getting back home after staying in a hotel and getting snuggled into my own comfy bed and pillows. These same pillows are coming with me when we travel tomorrow, haha.
@Brooke, I enjoy traveling, but it is always nice to return home to my very own bed and my pillows. I understand completely
@Brooke,
I hope you and your husband have a restful and relaxing time away.
Thankfuls all about school/work this week, as we begin a new semester.
--For the leftovers from the braised chicken and potatoes I made this weekend. I just added some of the stock I made from the other chickens (we culled three old hens) to make a really delicious soup that made it so easy to have a wonderful and comforting lunch at work.
--For the Thermos I bought myself a couple of months ago. So much easier to bring soup--my favorite winter lunch--to work and it's just still hot in there. I waste less of my very limited eating time if I don't have to bring it to a microwave and then back to my desk. And a Thermos is a lot cheaper than a microwave. 🙂
--For new staff members at work. One young lady is going to be working part-time partly in the cafeteria, so now I'm not the only one helping the cook. And hopefully not the only option for the cook's substitute, a job I do not really enjoy.
--One young man is doing a state fellowship program at our school to get his degree in Agricultural Education. He's taking the place of another young man who was our new Ag. teacher last semester, until he had a really scary and permanently debilitating experience with myocarditis, resulting in him not coming back after Thanksgiving break. The high school teachers were scrambling to cover his classes, which included science and shop. The shop program was on hold, and my oldest son was really sad about that. It was the thing he was most looking forward to in 7th grade. But this new guy is a very experienced welder, etc., and he's getting the shop going again. Happy son.
--Same guy talked to my husband the school bus driver about getting his bus license. We only have two bus routes for our school, but the other route is driven by an older guy who basically came out of retirement because there were no other drivers. So if the new guy can take his bus run, we might actually have a substitute bus driver, which would be a HUGE relief for my husband. And of course, for the older guy who doesn't want to drive anymore.
--For my son's math teacher. She's been trying so hard to find a way around what seems to be test anxiety and reassure him that he's actually understanding his math, just not testing well. This has been a hard transition year for him out of elementary school, and he seems to just be psyching himself out whenever he has to take a test, even though his assignments and other assessments indicate he's actually learning the material. She's a really nice person, as well as being a good teacher, and she's really put extra effort into helping him. Hooray for good teachers.
@kristin @ going country,
Test anxiety is so self-defeating and self-fulfilling. I knew some really smart kids in school who just went to pieces over things like the ACT test and finals. It's a hard one to overcome; thank heavens he has a kind and thoughtful teacher.
@kristin @ going country, I was just thinking about purchasing a new thermos. Do you mind sharing which thermos you bought?
@JD, and @kristin @ going country, my oldest sister was another one who had the math and other chops but suffered from severe test anxiety. I'm glad that @kristin's son has such a good and sympathetic teacher.
@Suzanne R, It was a Thermos brand one that I got on Amazon.
You know, a doorbell is something I've never thought of in any houses I've been in. Mine is probably from the 70s but it still works so I leave it there and never think of it. No one ever comes by to visit so the only time it's used is by UPS or when my daughter is playing with it.
I'm thankful this week for:
A light workload at the office. I am not up for being swamped after the big end of year rush.
That I haven't had to go as wild this week making dinners. I'm kind of exhausted with the whole coming up with new things for dinner that it's nice to just make something and eat off of it for a while.
For a wife who cares for me when I'm not doing so well.
For having a lot of good stuff to watch or have on in the background. I've been going through the Flintstones and Season 1 of the show is just so, so good. I find so many modern shows either to be lectures disguised as entertainment or just insufferably boring so I stick with the classics.
I don't know how old this one is, but it does have a Fiddler on the Roof song in the playlist, so that means it has to be after 1964, right?
@Battra92,
Lol, I grew up watching The Flintstones (reruns) every week night! I need to watch them again. what fun!.
@Battra92, just a suggestion: How about a "Yabba Dabba Doo!" doorbell chime? Sounds silly, I know--but it might give you a smile, and you sound as if you could use a smile or three.
@A. Marie, and @Battra92,
....or make it your ring tone!;-)
Thankful for:
Good health insurance.
For our overly mild winter. I can walk the dogs without freezing.
For my kids, their wives & the grands.
That I am close to retirement.
For a couple of treasures from dad's house. I would have loved to hear the story behind them.
@Mar, With the price of oil and natural gas (and thus the cost of electricity) it's been a blessing for a lot of people that it's not been so frigid.
It occurs to me that that I haven't written a happy things for this month post in a while...and things have been quiet around here after the holidays (in a good way), so I should. Right now I am thankful for my knee not hurting at all, friends who check in on me, quiet mornings where I can stitch before getting ready for work, Hubby's truck - which I will drive when mine is in the shop, and the opportunity to make overtime this weekend since I am on call. Gotta pay for those car repairs...
I think I need a cat!
I think you might need a cat too. 😉
@gina, You definitely need a cat! And think of how many cute cat pictures you can use for your blog posts! 🙂 As a new reader of your blog, I know I would appreciate those!
@gina,
You might enjoy the kitties at
pearls ragdolls or christy paws Persians they can be a mood lifter.
@gina and everyone everywhere, a pair of kittens is an almost guaranteed cure for sadness, boredom, lack of purpose, and loneliness.
This week I'm thankful for the new boots I bought myself. They fit perfectly and are comfortable all day.
@Becca, there is a lot to be said for comfortable feet!
@Becca, I too am boots-obsessed. There is one particular style of Muck Boots that is the only one I can wear comfortably, given my generally aging body and my partially replaced right knee in particular. I scarf up another pair of those every time they go on sale on Amazon.
@Becca,
I love wearing boots....I have a pair of Franco Sarto leather boots that are my favorites. I have wide calves, which (in ladie's boots) are becoming more widely available, but I wish I had bought this particular boot in every available color at the time.
I have the opposite problem; narrow calves. But I have wide feet! So trying to find a pair of knee high boots that fit me is a challenge, because the wide-foot boots I've tried have also had wide calves.
Mmmmm pancakes!
I’m so super thankful that the really unpleasant side effects of a new medication I’m taking have finally passed. That was not fun at all and I feel so much better now.
I’m also thankful for the $0 copay card that I have for that medication, too!
I’m thankful for a local walking group that I joined and made two new friends!
I’m thankful for living in a walkable area while our car is in the shop.
I’m also thankful for a little quiet time I’ll have this afternoon, just for me.
This morning I'm thankful that:
*my daughter volunteered to make breakfast today, and that means I don't have to feel guilty about spending time on thankfuls this morning.
*my son made it safely back to college.
*we had a normal school day yesterday.
*I finished my mid-year homeschool portfolios and got them emailed in!!!!!
*my children are so helpful to me.
*I was able to get an appointment (soon) for a specialist for some face issues I'm having. (I only have to wait less than 2 weeks.)
*my kids crack me up. Yesterday they were trying to sing songs/hymns to different tunes while they were cleaning the kitchen up after supper. ("A Mighty Fortress" to the tune of "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" kills me.)
*my neighbor brought by some of her excess quail eggs. They make the cutest hard boiled eggs for on salad!
*you posted the stain post yesterday. I couldn't read through (much less retain) everything, but now I know exactly where to look when I have a tough stain.
*I bought a planner. I normally don't, but a friend posted a picture of hers online and for two weeks I couldn't stop thinking about how perfect it was for me. And they had it lots cheaper at Walmart than Amazon.
*I can hear my children practicing piano often (piano's in the basement). I love to hear their progress.
@Jody S., singing hymns to the “wrong” tune is challenging! I just tried to do it in my head with “A Mighty Fortress” and “it came upon a midnight clear”—couldn’t do it.
@Jody S
pickled quail eggs are delicious and darling in a little jar on a charcuterie tray. You can Google a recipe. I thought they would be gross until I tried them.
1. I am thankful that we get to bring home a sweet new puppy this weekend. She is SO adorable and I cannot wait to see her antics as she plays with our other Boxer pup and snuggle her while she sleeps!
2. I am thankful that I had great cooks in my family that I learned many skills from when I was growing up by watching them prepare food. I am trying to lose some weight to be healthier and I am constantly thinking about how difficult that task must be for someone that survives on pre-packaged processed foods as a rule. They would have to exercise, learn at least some cooking/meal planning skills and count calories and such. With cooking in my back pocket it is easy to come up with meals, substitutions etc so I can focus my energy on my workouts...that is where I need lots of help!
3. For a new sermon series at my church that is just washing over my soul in such a profound way. I have listened to the messages twice now and I keep getting new things from them. It makes me feel seen by the Lord even though I know many others need to hear it, the message feels like it is just for me.
4. For the way that I am feeling lately. I have more energy, I am sleeping better,....lots of things I had noticed about my health are greatly improved or gone altogether. This is a wonderful blessing to be 45 years old and still able to bring myself back into a healthier place physically and mentally.
5. Coffee. Full stop.
@Angie, Yes to cooking skills! My parents rarely took us out to eat, (tight budget, 3 kids on one Catholic school teacher's salary), and we rarely ate prepackaged food, except cereal or crackers. They cooked most things from scratch and didn't rely on a lot of salt or sugar so when I do eat something pre-packaged the salt/sugar levels are practically unbearable to me. Even restaurant food is often like that, so I am very careful about what I order and try to at least have a salad with my meal since they don't season that.
@Angie, I just love the way you describe sermons “washing over” your soul. I hadn’t thought of it in those terms before. Thanks!
1. That my husband is quite happy in his first week as a visiting professor & that I'll be joining him on Monday.
2. That my son and I have had a silly good time binge watching the She Ra series this week. Not something I would choose myself, but it's been fun.
3. That my daughter is happy with her grades after her first semester in seminary.
4. That we noticed there was an issue with the battery in my son's car before he went back to school and that we could afford to fix it.
5. For the joy my son found in the chicken & biscuits I made. My husband can't eat so very many things, including poultry, so I don't think I've ever made this for my family, so this was a new food for him at 20 years old and he was very much a fan.
A couple of "mixed" thankfuls this week:
Thankful that January here has, so far, not involved major snow or ice. The worst part of Central NY winters for me is the cooped-up feeling. Of course, the lack of snow cover isn't good for my perennial herbs or other plants. But not having cabin fever is a major plus.
And thankful for a sweet email I received from a sister-in-law (the wife of DH's younger brother, his only surviving sibling). This is a "mixed" thankful because her news is not good: My BIL and she are headed down DH's and my hard road. (From her description, BIL is about where DH was 4-5 years ago.) But I'm thankful at least that I can provide support and advice that may be helpful to her. And she ended the message this way: "I never understood what you were going through until I started to experience it for myself....I think of [DH] so often, and pray for you both."
@A. Marie,
My sister is following in my footsteps with her husband, although his issue is Parkinson's and some other things, and so is a friend. Both have said the same thing - one never knows what it's like unless one goes through it. I'm sorry to hear your BIL and SIL are traveling down your path now.
A good friend of mine's husband had a disabling stroke at 42 while she was pregnant with their youngest. He died recently after spending 20+ years in a nursing home. And their eldest got angry when my friend wanted to date because she was lonely.
Ummmm, my unsolicited opinion is that she is QUITE free to date at this point. My goodness.
Ohhh, I am so sorry to hear that your sister-in-law is going through this. But I am so glad that you will be there for her.
@Rose, there have been several threads on the alzconnected.org spouse/partner forum on this topic. For me personally, it isn't an option. But I would never sit in judgment on anyone who decided otherwise.
This was while her husband was still alive. All of her friends told her to ignore her daughter.
@A. Marie, Heck, my ex is alive and well and I have zero point zero interest in dating. Maybe it's my age. Can't be bothered.
I think that's fine too! If you are content being single, there is nothing in the world wrong with that.
@JD, thank you for your sympathetic reply. I know I can count on you as another member of the "been there, done that" club.
@A. Marie,
I, too, am sorry to hear your SIL and BIL are traveling down the same road as you and your DH....I helped take care of my mother in law who had multi-infarct dementia for a little more than a year before she passed away. Different scenario than you + DH and your BIL + SIL are going through, but I at least understand, and can empathize, with some of it. (My MIL was very dear to me....more of a mom than a MIL....I grieved so much that year, and afterwards).
thankful that we decided to have hubby's milestone birthday at our apt. wise choice. the restaurants in nyc are crazy exzpensive since the pandemic. he is making one dish. i am making one dish. and two are from our favorite italian place, it is tomorrow.
that my 14 year old daughter has traveled alone by public transit bus to her high school for two days in a row. i take her to the stop with our puppy and she gets on the bus. this is the first time she has gone by herself to school. she is introverted, shy, and was afraid she would get lost. i have been escorting her since september.
our new carpeting looks great after the toilet flood disaster. it has been in only 3 weeks, but i vacuum every day. for all 22 years of our marriage hubby did all the vacuuming and bed making. he still does the bed making.
that my diabetes dr is pleased with my 30 lb weight loss since august. and i don't have to see her for six months. when my primary first told me last jan that i needed to c a diabetic specialist i was bummed. although i have been diabetic over 25 years i have never checked my blood sugar. thought she would make me do that but no she changed my meds and my life has been given back to me. i weigh less now than i did when i was in high school.
i am so grateful.
My oldest is still in high school and hope that when she is older she wants to hang out me too! You are a beautiful role model with evolving the relationships with your kids as they grow. Love
I never, ever take it for granted! 🙂 I hope you experience the same thing with your daughter.
I am thankful for -
1. My sisters who support us at the hardest of times.
2. My health care team who have my best interests at the forefront all the time.
3. For our Canadian health care and never having to worry about bills or costs.
4. For our 2 cats who give me lots of cuddles and love through out the days.
5. For a warm and cozy home with food in the cupboards and lots of things that make me happy.
It's been such a hard week and I'm just grateful to be here.
@Leann, hang in there with your continuing health care journey. And I'm frankly envious of the Canadian health care system.
@Leann, I'm sorry for your hard week.
Hugs to you, Leann. You are doing a great job of navigating such a hard situation.
Your home sounds and looks warm and inviting, it makes sense that the kids (young adults now!) want to hang out there. The mention of many cars took me back to my teenage years when my friends and I would hang out at each other’s homes. We had a close knit class at (a small private) school and had grown up with each other, so everyone’s home felt like home. What a gift I had of having so many warm inviting places to be as a youth!
Thankful:
-giggles from a game of snowball tag on skates last night with my boys. We’re not great skaters yet, so we fell lots and couldn’t throw a snowball and skate simultaneously very well, but we had so much fun.
-giggles from a silly game two of my kids made up at the bus stop this morning. They love each other, and we all had a great start to the day, which I hope helps them be alert and engaged at school.
-winter and cold weather. It’s been 8 years since having a proper winter and I have really enjoyed the cold, the fresh snow we get almost weekly, winter sports, and using the oven all the time without guilt for it being too hot. It’s made up for the slick roads and hours of snow blowing (even that isn’t that bad) and dry air.
-church chiming group. We have chimes at our church, which I haven’t seen in quite some time. I played handbells in high school (a rare thing, I think, for high schools to have from what I’ve seen since then), and I have wished a number of times to be afforded another opportunity to play in a group, and that started last night.
This week I am thankful for:
1. The way my sister and other friends have stepped up to support me after BFF's death, and I said how lonely I was without her.
2. That everyone loved my eulogy for her, which quoted both the Clash and Sid Vicious, and several people asked for a copy.
3. That the deer haven't been around the house lately where I feed the ferals. It gets old having to wait until the cats are finished eating until I can leave--if the deer are around I have to stay and shoo them away because they will eat the food and the cats are intimidated by them.
4. Getting my first box of stuff from BFF's house and worrying about my reaction.
5. Ha ha, evicted jerkoff tenant was finally arrested by local police.
6. My health is very slowly improving.
@Rose, I can relate to all of yours this morning. But having followed the saga of the EJT in your #5, I can especially share your satisfaction with this one!
@A. Marie, apparently he was evicted from another place, and then trespassed to the apartment on top of the restaurant he hasn't paid a penny of rent on. The owner had him arrested! I had a dream that night that he was trying to sneak into my rental cottage and I cut off his head. It's surprisingly easy to cut off someone's head in a dream.
@Rose, #5 must have been very satisfying! Having had to deal with jerkoff tenants myself, I can sympathize.
@Rose, my daughter also lost her BFF earlier this year. She held her hand in the hospital as she passed, and had to plan her funeral as she had no family, and make arrangements for all her animals and her belongings. It was a nightmare. She was in a terrible depression. I helped her as much as I could. She is improving with time, thank heavens. It is so hard to see your child in so much pain.
@Vivian, Oh, that's good, I'm glad you were able to help her.
@Rose,
Thrilled to hear the jerkoff tenant got arrested! And I have to ask: what was the quote you used from The Clash? They're one of my all time favorite bands.
@Liz B.,
I have no idea why my comment appears twice.
@Liz B., Oh, it was the first thing I ever heard fom BFF. She said near me in poli sci class and passed me a note saying "Vacuum cleaner sucks up budgie, oooooh hoooo!"
@Rose,
Oh my goodness....that's so great! From The Magnificent Seven! Love it!
1) Yesterday, for having the job flexibility to leave early & watch a very rainy high school soccer game. These days are going by so quickly, so I'm trying to soak it all in.
2) My 16 y.o. started a new job yesterday, coaching mini soccer players. It was supposed to be 5 y.os, but there was some sort of mistake, so he was coaching teen girls. 🙂 He came home & talked about his new job for like an hour last night when he got home, and his hilarious storytelling, & ability to just flex & figure things out, and overall calm life management made me happy.
3) That my husband is taking our kids skiing this weekend. He typically does this once a season and they love the "boy time". I typically deep clean the house & meal prep, which similarly fills my bucket.
4) I received part of my annual bonus details today (I get paid tomorrow), which always makes me grateful. I'll be able to add some to the boys college funds, and save the rest.
5) For easy freezer meal options! I feel like I'm grateful for this pretty often, because it's so true.
I'll confess, I've never seen a doorbell that plays different tunes, but then, I haven't known but very few people with doorbells, which I had not thought about till now. If I had one, I'd be tickled to find it played different sounds, too.
1. I'm thankful for the extra space in my new freezer. Wow, it's so nice to be able to see what's in there and not have stuff fall out when I open the door. Plus, freezers run better, I'm told, if they aren't overstuffed. And now I can stock up when I see the sales.
2. I'm thankful that everyone missed me yesterday at rush hour, when it felt as though I was driving in a bumper car arena. I've never had so many people make so many illegal near-misses with me in such a short time period.
3. I'm thankful my youngest, with her big heart, adopted the sad, nearly hairless puppy with the peeling, itchy, contagious skin condition, found abandoned near someone's house. She kept her other pets and people safe while it was contagious and faithfully gave the pup the treatments - and love - she needed. Six weeks later and the puppy is a happy, healthy creature with a glossy new coat grown in and a big love of snuggling.
4. I'm thankful for the ability to start my mornings with devotions. For many years, especially with kids at home, mornings were far too hectic to do them. I never was a morning person, so my attempts to get up earlier so I could read my devotions in quiet always ended up with me nodding off over the readings. Now I read them with breakfast, when I am dressed, alert and ready to begin my day.
5. I'm thankful that my Medicare bill went down from last quarter. I don't know why and didn't take time to look it up, but it was about $20 less. I had set money aside for the same as last quarter's premium, so this was a pleasant surprise. I'll leave it set aside for next quarter.
@JD, Medicare monthly costs went down slightly, (something about expecting to pay a lot for a new Alzheimer's drug which either didn't go into production or was not as expensive as thought). Also might have been a slight adjustment due to 2023 payments pre-paid in 2022.
@JD, Love the story about your daughter bringing the dog back to health!
Thankful. Funny on the doorbell!!
1. I only have six quarters of teaching to go. Then I will start a new to me part time career. Semester 1 over. The pandemic has really affected my teaching style. Sadly. Still trying hard!
2. Full freezers!
3. WArmer than usual weather this week.
4. My son has not yet been deployed. Any day now… whew!
5. A friend that I have been friends with for 40 years. It takes a long time to have an old friend. I love that saying!
It's always so much fun when your grown or almost grown kids are gathered around and socializing. You learn so much 🙂
-This week I'm thankful that we were able to buy airline tickets (and use mostly points) for my kid who lives overseas to come for a long visit in February. He's still in graduate school and can only work part-time, so I don't feel at all guilty helping out.
-I'm thankful every time I walk into my new kitchen that it's so beautiful and functional at the same time, and that we can cook again after a 2-month hiatus. We used the old kitchen to its longest life possible, so every single surface needed renovating including the ceiling that had had water damage.
-Despite lingering and recurring colds, I'm thankful that I've been able to get out and move, which always makes me feel better mentally and physically.
-I am really thankful that I was able to get a medication approved by my insurance company which they did not want to cover at first. Having tried other medications and being off medication too, this one was working so much better.
-Knock on wood, but I'm thankful that I get fewer bad reports from my twins school regarding their behavior and lack of focus, and have even heard some positive feedback. Hence really glad I have the medication issue sorted for now for their inattention.
I am thankful that I am working today. I'm an RN who works prn, and January is less busy than December, so I was afraid I might be cancelled.
I am thankful that I work with an excellent group of people.
I am grateful for my car that gets me where I need to go
I am grateful for my friend who invited me to attend BSF with her 10 years ago and alof the wonderful women I have met there.
Thankful for godly friends.
@Gretchen, I'm an OT who works prn, and I know exactly where you are coming from about the ability to get work hours after the holidays. But .... I love the flexibility of my schedule, and until about 2 years ago, I absolutely had to have that flexibility. I, too, have an excellent group of coworkers and I will put up with a lot of inconvenience to stay with this group of people.
@Gretchen, BSF is so many things–learning, discipline, friendship. And have you read Miss Johnson's biography, "Created for Commitment"? What a stunning life!
I love the look of a garden in Winter!
This week I am thankful:
1. My back procedure went smoothly with minimal discomfort. Hopeful it will work well this time and I can be fully back on my feet again soon.
2. For the amazing nurses there. They took such good care of me and were funny too!
3. Rice pudding, such a comfort food. Treated myself to a bit while recuperating last night.
4. Found a heating pad that wraps around my neck, shoulders, and upper back. I tend to carry my stress in my upper back and shoulders and this pad really helps me relax, plus the heat feels good on those chilly nights while reading on the sofa.
5. To good friends who prayed for me yesterday. It was very calming to know others are thinking of you and wishing you well.
I'm grateful to find your blog, and I have a question that's not related to gratitude. What is allowed/ not allowed as far as boyfriend/ girlfriend is concerned in your religion (since you mentioned Lisey)? What does Bible say about it? I'm asking since I'm from a different religious background. We have crushes and falling in love etc. of course, but we don't spend alone time with them (hang out with friends, restaurants, or workspace) to avoid pre-marital intimacy. When we really like someone, we bring them to our parents and just get married. I'm curious about what Christians do in this regard. Thank you.
Hahah, well, my answer for you 25 years ago would be very different than my answer to you now. I did not date around, married the first man who was ever interested in me, no sex before marriage, got married at the age of 19, and now 25 years later, I am getting divorced.
I was so sure that I was doing things the right way, and now as I look back I see so many problems with the dating/courting methods that were so popular in Christendom in the 90s.
As far as what Christians believe, opinions on this really run the gamut. Some Christians are extremely conservative when it comes to dating, and some are not. And plenty are in-between.
@Kristen,
If you don't mind, and if it is not too painful for you, could you please share what you think was wrong with the Christian dating/courting methods of the 90s, and how they affected you? I would really be interested in what you think is the "right" or the "better" way of handling it. I am a younger generation adult wanting to know. Thanks so much for considering and God bless!
Boy, I really don't know if I have figured out what is more healthy, but the whole purity culture of the 90s was definitely NOT it. For one thing, this idea that the most horrible thing you could do was to date multiple people? That just set us all up to marry the first person who came along, without having any idea of what else is out there or what we prefer in a partner or anything like that.
They said, "Dating multiple people and then breaking up is just practicing for divorce." Which is sort of funny/not funny now because, um, look at me! And my story is not dissimilar to a number of people who followed the purity culture/courtship recipe.
I would probably be LESS likely to be staring down a divorce if I had known it was ok to have multiple relationships.
Also unhelpful: the idea that if you fall in love with someone and give them a piece of your heart, then when you break up, you have something less than a whole heart to give to the next partner. As if our emotional hearts can't regenerate, and we are damaged goods if we fall in love more than once. Now I think this is just really stupid advice, because hello, would we say the same thing to someone whose spouse died?
Of course our hearts are able to love again. And we are not less than whole if we have had multiple relationships.
I know the people pushing purity culture had good intentions. But the fruit of their efforts is very poor.
@Urmila, I was raised Catholic, including going to convent boarding schools all through high school and transferring to Notre Dame when they started accepting women. (I know some people say Catholics are not Christians, but ignore that for the moment.) So I had all that teaching about no premarital sex. At the same time, my father used to say, "Never buy anything expensive without taking it for a test drive or finding someone who owns that item and asking them how much they like it." He was referring to cars or large appliances but somehow I decided that applied to sex, too. How could I marry someone without making sure they didn't like some disgusting sexual practice I didn't want to live with? And when I looked around at all the broken marriages littering the Catholic church I attended, I figured something was wrong with the marital advice I had been given---how could there not be, when it was unmarried nuns and priests talking about something they knew nothing about?
In our family, the feeling was PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD FIND SOMEONE TO DATE YOU, YA WEIRDO. Still true for my own kids!
My sainted father, who never missed an opportunity for a wisecrack, pulled my fiance over and said, "You got any friends? Cuz I have another daughter..."
@Kristen, agree with all of this. I was raised in a different religious setting, but the main thing that sticks to my mind is shame. Shame about sexuality and one's body and even shame over situations where I had no blame but was the victim. It does leave a trace although I have long since left the beliefs behind.
I also married at 19 and had my first child at 21, and the other thing I have had to "recover" from is to figure out who I am as an individual, not only as a mother and wife. We have been lucky that our marriage has been able to evolve through many changes, but it hasn't always been easy.
In my parenting I have definitely tried to make sure my kids don't feel similar shame and that they have the freedom to explore who they are or want to become without the weight of expectations or guilt.
@Kristen, @Urmila, very thoughtful answer below (missing the Reply button). It seems to me that the problem in the '90s was in the extreme definition of purity. I was raised that purity meant no sex outside of marriage, but none of that legalistic baloney about not dating multiple people. This definition of purity worked out for me, married at 26 (took awhile to find Mr. Right with much test-driving and rejecting all the Mr. Wrongs), now married for 36 years. Yes, I realize this method isn't a one-size-fits-all, but it certainly beats either marrying the first guy or sleeping around.
Congrats to Lisey! Mine also just passed his written FAA test (completely different goals, oddly same timeline) and should be doing the oral and practical stuff over the next two months.
Honestly to be back at work. Can't believe I'm saying that lol! I had a couple work from home days before the long Christmas holiday, took the week off after and then had a couple more snow days off after my week off. I was ready to come back. And boy were my two boys ready to go back to school to see their friends. It's just nice to have the schedule and structure. Plus, I eat better and move more. Also, to have the new year with a fresh new planner insert. So much satisfaction in starting over and writing in new goals and to do lists. It was also an eye opener to look back over my older planner from last year. Also thankful for my younger brother and sister. They are willing to go on a sibling trip with me this fall. It's an international trip, so pretty big adventure and we are super excited.
I, too, am thankful for all my family members being home. My son returns to college on Monday, and he will likely be doing an internship in a remote location this summer, so his Christmas break is the longest stretch of time for him to be home. I'm thoroughly enjoying it.
Thankful beyond words for my good friend who has specialized in working with persons with balance disorders. My sister was hospitalized over Christmas with a terrible vertigo episode, and she still isn't doing well. I contacted my friend and the three of us had an extended phone consultation yesterday. It was very reassuring for my sister and one of the rare occasions in my life where I "have connections". My friend's generous spirit was a huge blessing.
Thankful for my cat--like Kristen, he prefers my daughter, but he sometimes honors me with lap time. And he greets me outside my door every morning when I get up. It's a great way to start the day.
Thankful we finally have seen some sunshine in west Michigan during the past few days. Last week was beyond dreary. I enjoy snow and frosty mornings, but drizzly darkness--ugh.
Thankful that my experimental Sunday School class that I began on Sunday was well-received. I have combined high school kids with adults of all ages using material that I thought might appeal to a wide variety of people and I didn't know how it would go over, but people are enthusiastic. Whew.
Thankful for this weekly exercise! Even if I don't share with the rest of you, it still is helpful to me to remember to give thanks.
Ha, and when I read about the doorbell I realized I am thankful that our doorbell doesn't work! That is, there is a doorbell box, but when the house was remodeled a few years ago the owners didn't put in a button on the outside to hook up to it. I find doorbells very jarring, for some reason.
Of course, I am also thankful that we live on a very quiet cul-de-sac, where very few people stop at our door aside from deliveries. We've had one pair of Mormon missionaries, I think, since we moved in.
I'm thankful the fire department came quickly yesterday afternoon when a neighbor's house caught on fire. (this is the same house that a few weeks ago, had a transformer pole blow in its backyard, causing us to lose power for 24 hours...) Also thankful that all those sirens I heard were not, as I feared, a huge accident nearby that my husband, who was driving home from work, had been in!
Thankful for improving health and friends to talk to.
This doorbell IS super loud! There's no way we could miss someone at our front door if they ring it. Ha.
@Kristen, People generally open the screen door and knock on the door here, once they see there's no doorbell. We have a very small house and somebody is generally always near the front door area, so no missing the knocking.
Makes trick or treating tricky, though, because little kids are so confused when there's no doorbell! So we sit by the door for the kiddos.
@Karen A., My parents 1950's ranch house had different bells for the front door, (double ring), and back, (single note). No one ever used the back except when we kids were playing around.
We have a door knocker and it is LOUD. Like thundering with a 2x4, heard all over the house. Strangely, trick-or-treaters know how to use it.
Hope the emergencies have ended for a while in your neighborhood!
It wasn't until today that I realized we don't have a doorbell. And weirdly enough, our screen doors are on the inside of the entry doors. Apparently that's the way it is in Sweden. Likely my house was built by a Swedish fisherman in 1920.
Last week I was thankful for the rain, this week I'm thankful for the sunshine. The views have been fantastic since the rain washed away the smog (one of the downsides of living in southern california)
I'm thankful my husband took the initiative to try and help without me explicitly asking. Last night I mentioned that I have no idea what I'm going to feed the kids for breakfast and lunch. He wanted to go to the grocery store to pick some stuff up for himself and came back with two big boxes of lucky charms and a big box of eggos. Not what I would have picked but I appreciate him trying to help. And hey - the kids were fed and happy with their breakfast this morning!
That after just two weeks of working out regularly, I'm feeling noticeably stronger. If I didn't have this almost instant gratification, I might have stopped. But even going on my walk felt different today and I attribute it to the workouts. Keeps me motivated to keep going so I'm thankful it feels like it's working.
Lisey has a boyfriend?
Haha, yes, not the first one either.
And there are currently about 12 dudes at her school who would also like to date her. If you are a girl at aviation mechanic school, you are a VERY popular person. 😉
Her boyfriend is here a LOT, but he's gonna be anonymous for now...I am just trying to be respectful of the fact that he has not necessarily signed up for the public life of being related to a blogger.:)
This week I’m thankful:
1) that my husband continues to work from home full time and I can work remotely some days. It is SO much easier with 3 kids ranging from 7-15 coming and going to have one parent at home when they get back from school.
2) that my Dad lives close by and we successfully sold his house in another state. It was a year of work-kind of like the treasure house-but we got through it all and renovated nicely.
3) that my teen is about to get their permit. I’m looking forward to getting the required hours of him driving with us before being eligible for a license
4) for good coffee to start the day. I’m trying intermittent fasting (today is day 1!) starting with a 16 hr fast period per day…essentially having only black coffee in the morning and eating at noon and dinner. I’m trying to lose the last 20 lbs of “baby weight” from my now 7yo mostly to have more energy (I don’t think I can even call it baby weight anymore!) and have had success w/intermittent fasting in the past. Who knows if it will still work now that I’m in my 40s w/ hormone changes. Fingers crossed!
5) that everyone in our household is healthy at the moment. We’ve had a URI illness slowly making its way through our house since Thanksgiving. I think we’ve all had it now so hopefully we’ll get a reprieve!
@Laura, I, too, have almost 20 pounds of "baby" weight that I gained when pregnant with my 7yo. I lost all the weight with each of the other children, but this last one. . . . no luck. (I'm going out on a limb here and saying I should probably put more work into it and not rely on luck.) Anyway, I was a few months short of 40 when I had her, and I've noticed such a difference in every body thing since I hit 40. Best wishes with your weight loss!
This week I am thankful . . .
For all the opportunities I have in my field. Last year I said yes to a lot of stuff that is now kind of feeling overwhelming. But it is all temporary and really more wonderful that I thought it could be.
For my dear, dear husband who is not only holding it down at home while I do the road warrior thing, but is always so encouraging. Last night he told me to take it one day at a time.
For Amtrak. I have been commuting by car, but my new post is a train ride away. What heaven to spend my commute getting work done and reading Frugal Girl. And without all the hassles of the airport!
For train tea. I drink tea constantly while I work. It occurred to me last week to make a great big cup of hot tea in an insulated cup for the train ride. Also why doesn't Amtrak have cup holders? That is my only complaint.
A train ride to work sounds so wonderful; you can do something fun/productive while you are commuting!
@Amanda, My husband is planning to use Amtrak for a work trip and he is SO looking forward to it! No driving and he can even nap on the way (it's more than a few hours from here).
I love reading your blog so much. Came for the yogurt tutorial, stayed for your posts : )
I'm thankful for my sister-in-law. She came over with her husband and stepsons to hang out with me while the guys played a really involved strategy-based board game together. I'm thankful that my seven-year-old daughter loves to cook and bake with me. She's the sole extrovert in our family of five and would rather be doing anything with someone she loves than spend time all to herself doing something she loves. She even was weirdly eager to help me unclog the vacuum cleaner the other evening, haha! I'm thankful that there are things that are minimally time-consuming and relatively cheap that can exponentially bless others. Things like home-grown garden flowers (a pack of zinnias are endless summer bouquets waiting to happen for just a dollar or two!), or a baked treat, or a thoughtfully written card, or even intentionally hugging or praying with someone are all easy ways to invest in others' wellbeing. I'm thankful for my twin sister. We have super different personalities, but she is extraordinarily encouraging and just amazing to be around. We geek out over so many things that we have both come to love late in life (gardening, homeschooling, apologetics and theology, etc), and I'm constantly amazed at how blessed I am to have her in my life. I am also really thankful for my two homeschool mom friends that I've grown to know over the last two years. I prayed for three years to find a mom with kids my own kids age that we all connected well with and two years ago I found two amazing friends to share this homeschooling life with who both have kids that mostly line up with my kids' ages.
Aww, I'm so glad you enjoy it. And your, "came for the yogurt, stayed for the other stuff" story is oft-repeated among the readers here.
Congratulations to Lisey on passing her written tests!
I'm thankful that the severe weather this morning did not produce any tornadoes in our area
I'm thankful that Monday is a holiday
I'm thankful that when I woke up this morning, our rescue dog was asleep on our bed. We've had her almost 3 years, it took her a full year to even jump up on the bed, and this was the first morning I've woken up to sharing a bed with her. She usually sleeps on her bed or a chair in my bedroom.
I'm thankful for streaming exercise service(s) so I have a variety of workouts to do at home
I'm thankful that my first briefing to the customer on my new task went well today
What are Lisey's plans when she graduates? Is she planning on staying local or branching out? I know quite a few medi-evac bases out West if she wants to come be a ski bum for a few seasons. I am glad Thankful Thursday is here because this has been kind of a tough week mentally and my routine got shot to hell, so taking a minute to slow down and be grateful is needed.
1. A fake Christmas tree. A real tree has been my hill to die on for years but I finally acquiesced after too many years of mess and the inevitable silverfish (yuck!) invasion in the months aftwer. And holy crap did it make my life easier to put away this year.
2. A handy husband. We starting on replacing our floors soon and he has been leading the charge so much more than I expected him to
3. Random day dates. I had a doctor's appointment in the vicinity of my husband's office and we met for spur of the moment lunch.
4. Random overtime. I was offered a half shift (which I didn't initially want to take) but it means I will miss driving in a big storm headed our way and I won't have to get up at 3am to get to work.
5. My vision board. I do one every year and I love looking at it and knowing that at least some of my dreams on there are going to come true in the near future.
Well, she's wanting to go work at an airport somewhere that the weather is warm! She's thinking somewhere here on the east coast, just south. Florida, for example. We shall see where she lands!
One small phrase of yours gave me great encouragement. “Every season has its own particular beauty…”. I was able to lift my eyes from the January doldrums and appreciate a cold Canadian prairie morning. Thank you for your words about and your photos of nature in its winter splendour.
Yay! I'm glad you were able to find some small beauties in your frozen tundra.
I'm curious... Does your cat ever dig up your plants or is that not a thing in your house? I have to be careful with having real plants in the house because our cats (one in particular) likes to dig them up.
This week I'm thankful for...
* Thankful Thursday! I got some hard news on Tuesday evening and I cried and I feel the freedom to grieve as much as I need to, but that evening I also knew that there are things that I can be thankful for in the midst of the grief. So I started thanking God for those things. I know that participating in Thankful Thursday each week has truly made a positive difference in my life and I appreciate you starting it, Kristen!
* I'm thankful for the way technology lets me stay in touch with friends who are far away. I love mailing cards, but technology allows information to flow faster and sometimes that really matters.
* I'm thankful for the joy I get out of my planner. I really do enjoy using it. (I know, I'm an exciting person. Ha!)
* I'm thankful for God's faithfulness and promise to always be with us.
* I'm thankful for a church family that supports each other.
Luckily, she does not mess with plants. Whew. Maybe it's because she's old?
I'm so sorry about your hard news, but I am also glad that you are able to make space for the duality of life; that hard and good are always coexisting.
@Ruth T, I had a Shop Cat when my art studio was public, and she loved to use the big ficus tree pot as her litter box. I finally had to put foil over all the dirt. Ugly, but effective.
Took a photo of a sign in front of a business here in town that said, “Don’t let the things you want make you forget about the things you have. “ I am thankful that
1. My son headed back to graduate school on Wednesday morning and arrive safely.
2. Our weather has been absolutely beautiful for the last several days. I love winter in Florida even though I’m not crazy about summer.
3. I was home alone last night which meant I was able to watch Emily in Paris. The boys in the family aren’t crazy about that show.
4. The depression that was looming after I had Covid has finally started to retreat. Although it was mild, it was difficult to shake.
5. I was able to spend the morning with a dear friend whom I have not visited with in a couple of months.
Thankful for:
1. Our local newspaper, which exposes local politicians who are trying to do something underhanded.
2. For employees who go the extra mile. We had to buy a new washer. A day later I saw it (in our newspaper, so another reason to have a subscription) was on sale for $200 less. I went back to the box store and said I would like to have $200 reimbursed. The clerk said it was not possible and I pointed out that the washer was not going to be delivered until next week...she said again that there was nothing she could do. Then she said, without making eye contact, "Of course, if you cancel the washer you bought and buy it again at the new price, that would work." So that is what I did. The employees know when items are going on sale and in the past I have had someone tell me that the item was about to go on sale so to wait to purchase it, so I am not sure why the original salesperson didn't do that. They don't work on commission.
3. a good night's sleep. I am an insomniac and it is very rare that I fall asleep and stay asleep. It is the only time I want to kill my husband, when I hear him fall asleep within two minutes of getting into bed.
4. the husband, always the husband. He always, always calls when he is on his way home from someplace. Yesterday I was reading and wanted to get off the phone and back to my book, so I said there were no other errands, goodbye. Later in the evening he said, "You know, I call you to hear your voice because it makes me feel like you are guiding me home to our peaceful haven. I love the sound of your voice and it is especially comforting when I am out late in the evening for a rehearsal." So now I can't get irritated with him for about a week after he says something like that. And for the record, for those of you old enough to remember him, I have a voice like Foghorn Leghorn.
5. milk and all associated milk products, such as cheese and yogurt and cream cheese.
Aww, what your husband said to you is THE SWEETEST. What a keeper.
@Lindsey, I too have a voice like Foghorn Leghorn. But I'd give anything to hear DH say something like that again (as he often used to). His speech, along with everything else, is all but gone.
@A. Marie, Sometimes when I post about the husband I think of you and others who have lost a partner, and I feel a kind of guilt to have such good fortune adn then post about it. On days when i am feeling mystical, I believe that he is my compensation for a lifetime of medical problems, although that fantasy passes and I go back to it being just plain good luck. Plus, I don't know how to integrate that idea about compensation with the fact that my brother died of the same genetic disorder and at an age where he had yet to experience love or travel or a satisfying career. Why have I been blessed and he was not?
Too bad we didn't live closer so we could have an Foghorn Leghorn lunch!
My marriage turned out to be so very awful for me, but I honestly am just thrilled for you that your experience has been different in the marriage department. I am sad for me, but I am equally as overjoyed for you!
@Lindsey, aw, don't feel guilty. Just love up on your husband a little extra and tell him it's from Foghorn Leghorn II.
I am so thankful for my parents' health.
They came out to visit for Christmas, and then they're back again this week to leave their dog with me while they fly out to California to visit my brother and his wife. While they visit with us, they typically walk 6+ miles per day with us, and I love that they can do this!
It's really amazing that at almost 70 they are plenty spry enough for all this traveling.
They're both turning 70 in 2023, and are planning some "birthday rides" - as in, 70-mile bike ride on their birthdays.
I have nearly-70-year-old parents who can ride 70 miles in one day.
My grandparents definitely were not doing that kind of thing at their age!
My parents have worked hard their whole lives to maintain their endurance/strength/flexibility, in the face of some very challenging health issues (heart attack that resulted in triple bypass, non-cancerous uterine growths that resulted in surgery, prostate cancer that resulted in surgery, diabetes, mental health challenges, etc.), and I'm so grateful they're still here and so active!
I love your thankful list today. Such a feel-good list!
Let’s see what I can come up with.
I’m thankful that my lingering cough is past its worst. I had a cold (or something) over Christmas, and the symptoms keep doubling back, so I’m extra glad they are getting fainter each time now. My mother used to say, “A cold lasts seven days or a week, take your pick”, but that is just not true these days.
I’m thankful for a new little three year old student who started yesterday who I think is going to be a joy.
I’m thankful to have a new tenant, even if the settling in has been a little rough. I think it will shake down okay.
I’m thankful for a growing closeness with my siblings due to monthly zoom calls.
And I’m thankful for the good relationship I have with my two oldest kids. It’s easy and fun and they bring deep joy to my heart.
I'm thankful for so many reminders of what to be thankful for in your posts and these comments.
I'm thankful for cat snuggles. Eccentric Neighbors' cat is utterly perfect and snuggly and adorable. (Except she's too loud at 6am - ha!)
I'm thankful for so many neighbors and community members that pulled together last Saturday to get things ready for our Eccentric Neighbors (EN) to come home.
I'm thankful for a plumber that went above and beyond at EN's house.
I'm thankful for a good visit with a hospice worker this morning who is working hard to get things off my plate in regards to EN.
I'm thankful that my life will not always revolve around neighbor care AND I'm glad God gave me the grace to help when it was needed.
And I'm so thankful for warm sunshine as I walk to get my boys from school.
@Dorinda, Your help for the EN is humbling; I do not think I would have been so generous with my time and energy. You are an unsung hero in your community.
@Lindsey, thank you for your kind words encouragement. <3 Serving by God's grace those He has created and values.
I'm thankful for the way you encourage so many others... like each comment you left here today -- sharing pieces of your story and helping people feel heard and valued. 🙂
I am thankful for:
1) FEMA “claw” trucks have removed a great deal of the landscape and building debris (related to hurricane Ian) from our road in the last week - it is so nice to have it looking more normal
2) that repair work on our hurricane damage will start in earnest next week and that we have found good contractors
3) that a friend who is traveling loaned me her bridge pass so I can use it before it expires- that saves me money
4) that a friend has been inviting me to do water exercise with her
5) that I was able to bring a well received cookie tray to a lunch meeting -using up frozen cookie dough from the holidays. I freeze cookie dough “balls” for just such occasions.
Congratulations to Lisey!
-I'm thankful that an iguana didn't make it all the way into my neighbors house a few days ago. I heard loud screaming and then she called me so we could laugh about it together. It was trying to push in through her screen door and they chased it back out. I would die if I walked into my living room and found an iguana inside. They have taken over South Florida in the past few years.
- For my oldest (med school student). He sent me a text yesterday in-between patients, it was just a quick Hello, Have a great day Mom. It made me smile.
- And for my youngest. He and his girlfriend are teaching English in Spain this school year. He called yesterday to just talk for a while and tell me about his plans for when they come back.
Thankful for
1. My bike - we have had torrential rain for over a week and today the skies have cleared, so grateful to be able to cycle places . It’s a reminder to me that I cycle more for my mental health than for exercise and environmental reasons.
2. For a free mammogram thanks to a nationwide breast screening program, just had to pop into a mobile clinic at a local shopping centre.
3. Friends, hosted a dinner for out of town friends and enjoyed good wine, food and company.
4. My son came home for 4 days for a concert, he gets us playing cards after dinner and when he said goodbye it’s only 2 weeks until the next visit for a music festival.
5. For a new chore roster for my adult children who live at home - they need to cook dinner once a week. It was bliss to arrive home from work to an already prepared meal.
Many thankfuls (including this blog which causes me to think carefully about the good things in life)
1. All the rain!
2. We don't live in an area where bridges washed out (couldn't afford riverfront property when we bought here 24 years ago. . . probably still couldn't!)
3. Not too much work now so there is time walk down to the river and watch the raging roaring boiling chocolate milk look of it all (too many recent low water years)
4. All the kind people who have been checking on us when they hear about the flooding and washouts on the news
5. Three cats who are all trained to come to the garage at night and have lasted 4 and 5 years now
6. So thankful to no longer let cats live in the house. Sometimes I miss cat snuggles, but I'm DONE with clawed furniture, cat hair, disrupted sleep, smells, and getting bossed around in my own house by an animal.
My city had a fireworks show to start off their winter festival. The 4th of July fireworks are always too late at night for my kiddos, but these were at 8:00, and I figured an extra half hour up late wouldn’t be the end of the world, so we bundled up and the kiddos saw fireworks for the first time. It was so fun and they loved it. I am so thankful for cool stuff to do even in the winter.
I am thankful for my husband. Our car broke for good and we had to buy a new-to-us car. We did it online, so now some things need to be fixed and carvana has to pay for it but the process of going back and forth with them and the repair shop is a bit of a pain. But my husband has done it all without complaining and I appreciate it. And I’m so grateful so don’t have to do it.
I am thankful for a week of unseasonably warm weather. While I miss the snow, a week of the 40s was very enjoyable for spending more time outdoors.
Thankful for a podcast guest on 1,000 hours outside who talked about parenting more challenging kiddos and it was exactly what I needed to hear at the perfect time.
Thankful for plain old black coffee. Nothing is more comforting in the morning than a warm cup when it is dark and cold outside.