Thankful Thursday | post-sickness euphoria
This week, I am thankful:
to be feeling better!!
It's been slow going, but every day there is a small improvement. And each day this week, when I think back seven days, I can see big cumulative progress.
For example, when I went to class on Tuesday, I could recognize that I felt much less tired than I did the previous Tuesday.
My cough is getting better, my voice sounds more regular, I am not as tired, and I've been able to get back into exercising.
for the way tough times make you appreciate the good times
I am never, ever more appreciative of good health than I am right after I get over being sick.
It is a positively euphoric experience to feel normal again!
Unfortunately, the euphoria does wear off, but for now, I am full of appreciation for a functioning body.
that I got to play some games with my dad
He likes to play Sequence, and my mom (his usual game companion) somehow always manages to draw the right cards to beat him consistently.
I do not have the luck of my mom, apparently, because he beat me ⅗ games.
I told my mom that my dad might start to prefer to play Sequence with me instead of her. 😉
for opportunities to help my girls with their school
Sonia's doing pre-calc at college this semester, and even though I have not ever gone past Algebra 2, I was able to help her a bit when she was stuck on her homework.
Zoe was assigned The Screwtape Letters in her British literature class, and since she sometimes processes literature better by listening, I spent Sunday afternoon reading a bunch of chapters aloud while she worked on a puzzle.
And that was a nice way to spend an afternoon!
My homeschooling journey is just about over (Zoe will be a senior next year, and Sonia IS a senior this year), so I am remembering to appreciate these times that I can still bless my girls by helping them.
for a friend in my A&P class
Last semester, I initiated a conversation with one of my young classmates because when I read her online intro, I noticed that she said she liked cats.
We cat people know that other cat people like to be asked about our cats, so that's what I did. 😉
Anyway, we got to know each other a bit last semester, and this semester, she happens to be in my section, and we are sitting at the same four-person table. Yay!
that it's easy for me to make friends at class
Back when I was a fresh high school graduate, in college full-time, I remember that I made friends in each of my classes. And the same is true for me now.
I know for some people, it is hard to initiate conversations, but that has always been easy for me. And if you can initiate conversations, you can usually find people to be friends with.
I don't think I deserve credit for this (God just made me this way!), but I am thankful for this aspect of my personality.
for the joy of an early morning class
In the normal course of things, I rarely leave my house in the 7:00 am hour, and I wasn't sure how I'd end up feeling about having an early class start.
But I really like it! I love mornings and I have been enjoying driving to school as the sun comes up.
The day feels fresh and full of possibilities at that time. And since I'm a morning person, my brain is in good shape to absorb knowledge when class starts at 8:00 am.
Speaking about euphoria: hardly anything beats the feeling of witnessing a glorious sunrise. It feels as if your soul opens up to the day!
This week I am particularly appreciative of having a steady job and fixed income, now fuel and food prices are going up. Yesterday's posts made me feel keenly that I can choose to be frugal, we do not need to worry about finances at the moment. What a blessing!
Also I am grateful for the abundant information available on the internet. Saving with Jamie (Oliver) for instance has given ideas that I can implement, such as always saving remaining bacon grease and gravy to enrich later dishes. And this morning I found a mail from Yale University offering a free online curriculum on Religion and Environment, that struck a cord after Kristen's blog earlier this week. I'll have a look at the courses. I enjoyed their (also free) Science of Happiness course a lot, I took that during the early months of 2020.
I am also grateful for the boost of energy I get when outdoor swimming in the morning. It is wonderful that we have such clear clean and safe water nearby! And the pond is where I witness most of those glorious sunrises 🙂
@J NL, I am enormously impressed that you are swimming outdoors, at dawn, in January. What a gal.
I noticed that too. J, how do you do that???
@J NL, I love Jamie Oliver, so I'm glad you shared Save with Jamie!
Thank you!
@J NL, Where do you live that you can swim outside in February?? (She asks, looking at the outdoor thermometer that tells me it is 31 below zero right now.)
Hi all,
We live near a pond crated by digging sand for building houses. While the pond is 30mtr at its deepest end, it is quite shallow at one end with a beach. We can just walk in and in winter stay in the shallow water and in summer we swim to the deeper parts.
We swim with a small group and you need to use your wits. Cold water makes for short swims. Water temperature is now ca 4 Celcius so the average swim is about 5 mins (some of the men are hardier). We change on the bank and cycle home, some 5 mins.
The water is very very clean and my swim buddies are veery experienced. It is invigorating to be in the cold water, but I am also looking forward to the longer swims of summer.
I would stress that safety always comes first. I've seen lovely pictures of rivers in the US but they might have currents. Investigate the waters before you go in and in winter always go with a swim body.
Some of our older ladies have joint pains etc and the cold water is very soothing for that!
@J NL, Australia? Your winter swimming sounds remarkable! Changing clothes outdoors in mixed company after cold water group swimming? I salute you all. Have to see what 4 Celsius is in Fahrenheit, but it sounds icy!
@Jenny, that’s 39 degrees here. Hhhmmmm. That sounds really dangerous!
I'm thankful my mammogram results were "normal". I was a little concerned after I had three images taken per sides, instead of the usual two, but if I'd have been on the ball I would have asked why.
I'm thankful the Covid test positivity rate in MD was reported as 7.68% yesterday. At the worst of it the rate neared 30%. I'm also thankful I was able to easily buy some rapid tests yesterday.
I'm thankful for the lighter days. They're so good for my mood and they make walking in the evening easier, especially when there are still small amounts of ice left to dodge.
I'm thankful that we have not been affected too much by supply chain issues. We still have food in the house, vehicles in the garage with gas in the tanks, heating oil, electricity, water/plumbing, clothes to wear,etc.
I'm thankful our neighbor's daughter is recovering after a medical issue. I don't think it was handled properly initially and after weeks of suffering she received the proper treatment and will be able to return to work next week.
I'm thankful my SIL is doing better after a medical emergency last week. She received good treatment while in the hospital and has been home for a few days and is feeling better.
I'm thankful for technology: internet, texting, etc.
I'm thankful for friends and family. What would life be like without them?
I saw on the ABC news map that Maryland was one of the only states that is not still in the dark red zone for cases. Yay Maryland! And may the rest of the country soon follow.
I'm thankful for:
* The beautiful snow we're getting!
* My kids being old enough to play games (like Uno) together.
* My daughter being able to have a birthday party this year!
* The way the extra time from having a couple of snow days is letting me get a lot of party prep done early. The birthday girl and I got one of the crafts ready yesterday while her siblings napped and we'll do the second one today. We're making cat magnets and cat bookmarks.
* The way I've been able to use my fresh-off-COVID knowledge to help a friend and another mom. Figuring out timelines, what's normal, and what would be good to include in a COVID care package. It's so nice to have someone who has been through it before you and I'm glad to be able to help my friends now that I'm on the other side.
@Ruth T,
What would be good to have in a covid care package? No one in our family fell ill so far but it would be good to know. We bought an oximeter in addition to our thermometer - what would you recommend?
@J NL,
My friend has 3 young kids like I do, so I included ingredients to make rice krispie treats (something fun to do but simple - kids aren't usually sick for long but have to be home for a long time), Gatorade - either because someone's thrown up or it's just nice to have something different to drink, and cough drops because surely at least 1 of them will get a sore throat or cough. I also gave her all of our extra rapid tests and a couple of groceries that she needed. I may take her some craft supplies for the kids early next week. The mom has not gotten sick yet, but if she does I'm planning to take chicken noodle soup.
@J NL
I live on my own with a dog. So I felt it was a good to prepare for Covid in case I get infected.
I bought an oxometer just like you did.i checked my thermometer. It is working - I haven't used it for at least 5 years or so. I cut up old T-Shirts for a runny nose - nicer to my nose and will go straight into the garbage can.
In the freezer I have a few portions of homemade chicken soup and some other precooked meals.
I have a 1000 pieces jig saw puzzle still in the original box never opened which I found in our free library in the neighbourhood.
I have meals portioned out for 10 days for my dog. His bag is ready with one of his blankets, towels, dishes,toys, medical records etc - when in quarantine I would not be allowed to walk the dog so everything will be ready for the person who will take care of him.
I bought plenty of my favourite herbal teas.
I stocked up on ibuprofen. It is a pain killer I handle well and it also helps with a fever.
I have some cash and a little shopping list ready (fruit, salad greens, milk and vegetables) for the person who would do some grocery shopping for me.
I make sure that I am on top of things with the laundry and every night I empty all the garbage cans.
My Corona app turns red on an almost daily basis which tells me that I have been in close contact to an infected person. So every time I go and get myself tested. So far so good.
I am so grateful that testing is for free here in Germany and the little boots where trained personnel do the test are all over the city. It is completely free here and I can ask for being tested as often as I see necessary.
As I am boostered I am not so worried about contracting Covid - but the thought of a minimum of a strict 7 days quarantine is absolutely nightmarish to me!
Luckily for me, I felt so bad, it was no problem to stay home. Ha. Here the CDC requires five days of isolation, and honestly, I was not ready to leave the house before day 5 anyway.
I think isolating for an asymptomatic case would be much more maddening!
@Lea, You get the Lindsey Award for the person best prepared to deal with an illness. Seriously, I would not have thought of some of those items!
--For more snow yesterday. Not as much as I was hoping for, but any precipitation is appreciated.
--For our woodstove. Our house would be significantly less comfortable without it.
--For children who think I'm perfect. Well, sometimes. My oldest two were insisting moms are perfect last night, despite my protests and pleas for them to consider that NO ONE is perfect (and being considered so is really setting oneself up for a fall, although I left that part out). I suspect this is not an argument I will be having in a few years with several teenage boys in the house, so I'll just appreciate their delusion for now. 🙂
--For all the wonderful comments I got on a post requesting ideas for books to buy for the school library that I'm putting together. Book people LOVE to talk about books. I got several titles from my readers, and the fun of finding authors and titles I had never heard of. My husband also asked his Twitter followers for suggestions for older boys (I don't think many men or boys read my blog . . .) and got hundreds of suggestions, which were also fun to research. (Although I'm not as excited to read all of those myself. 🙂
--For the opportunity to make this library. It takes a TON of time to look for individual titles, but I think I'm going to end up with a pretty good little library. Which is no small thing in a community that's 100 miles from a public library.
@kristin @ going country, You're lucky. My daughter is going through a "You're ruining my life, Dad!" phase.
@kristin @ going country, The War That Saved My Life is one of the best books I have ever read for the 10 to 13 crowd. It is set in England in WWII and the author must either have been an abused child or worked with them to write such a perfect story about being afraid to become a nice and trusting person. There is a sequel that is good, but nothing like the first one in terms of insight.
I'm thankful that the major, record-tying snow storm that hit my area over the weekend did not cause any havoc for us. Going into it, I was afraid we would lose power foran extended period. But it was beautiful and nondestructive, and my dogs are loving the powdery snow.
I'm thankful for a smooth leadership transition at my office over the past month. I've been through this before, and it can cause a lot of anxiety and disruption. The transition has been as positive as it could possibly be.
I'm thankful for my family's financial stability. We've had incredibly lean and difficult times in the past, so this is a big deal for me.
Every time I see your cat, I think "hmm...I haven't had a cat in a long time and it would be so great to have one..." But, I agreed with myself, no big changes just yet!
I am thankful this week for
*my continued health - I feel good and strong
*my warm house with its mini crock pot going - I am NOT leaving the house today to play on the slick highways, thank you. I feel a little guilty for calling in, though.
*my laptop, which helps me blog and learn things
*my friend who is trying her best to stay connected to me and find the right words to say
*having a grief counselor who is helping shed a lot of light on things right now!
https://cannarymom.blogspot.com/2022/02/the-grief-tunnel.html
Its going to be a peaceful and calm day (:
@Gina, the words of Grief Tunnel are so true. Wishing that you have some lovely moments today. ❤
Gina, I love that analogy that your therapist gave you. What a hopeful way of looking at grief while also acknowledging the very real pain and darkness that you feel.
Much love to you!
Also, I love that you are able to see that your friend is doing her best to love you through this. Sometimes those of us on the outside of grief are terrified of saying the "wrong thing", but it sounds like you can see her heart to love you and I bet that is helping her feel more free to shower you with car.
People get so worried about saying the wrong thing that many times they say nothing at all. Which hurts way more than saying the wrong thing.
Also I am not sure how anyone showers people with car. Sounds painful.
Ahahahaha, my poor typo. I promise that I have never (and will never) rain cars down on people who are in tough times!
You have the perfect tuxedo kitty. So cute! I just love that photo.
I am thankful for whatever is causing me to wake up early feeling well-rested lately: zero pollen count, more sunlight, whatever it is I am deeply grateful. Also thankful for the rain yesterday and today: January is supposed to be rainy for us and it was not, so we'll take it now. Also not sure how I did it, but we came in a handful of dollars under budget on groceries the past two weeks. I do not expect to be able to maintain this, what with grocery prices being what they are lately.
Also thankful that our beloved "middle dog," our 10-year-old rescued girl who has so many strange things going on with her body that she appears to have been made of spare parts, was sound as dollar on her blood tests and check-up yesterday and is good to go on getting her teeth cleaned. February is dental discount month at our vet's office, and we'll get a 10% discount on getting her teeth cleaned.
@Ruby,
Thanks for reminding me of my dad's saying about dogs that look, um, unusual: "That dog looks like he was put together by a committee." That memory brought a smile to my face!
@JD, she's actually a cute and very smart little dog, but the two halves of her body don't exactly match and a few internal things are not quite where they're supposed to be. She has the best personality, though. We spent a long time getting her health straightened out. She has definitely been worth it.
I love that photo too! I included it when I made a photo calendar of our cat for Lisey this past Christmas. I think it's the cat's best portrait so far.
I'll be back with my thankfuls later; but Hillsdale College has a free online course on C.S. Lewis. There is also information about the writing group The Inklings, who included C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Toklein. I don't know if it will be of any added assistance in your daughter's course this semester.
@JEG,
Now I will finish up. This morning I was headed out to spend the day with my 3.5 year-old grandson.
1. As I said earlier in the week, I am thankful for my Monday morning walking friends. When I got up that morning to get ready, it was -1. By the time I arrived home at 10 a.m. it was 22. It was a beautiful, sunny morning with no wind (the major blessing).
2. Over the weekend I finished up a project for another person. Someone had come into the Sr. Center before Christmas with her mother's unfinished knitting. She wants pass out the items to her sisters but they needed finishing. My friend asked if I could do it. It's finally done.
3. While at work Tuesday, I received a surprise text message. A friend asked if we would like to do dinner with her and her husband--they would bring it to our house. My husband has COPD and limits his activities. I tried to see if he would go to their house but he said his breathing was not great that day. They went out and bought dinner and brought it to our house. It was also my husband's birthday--which they did not realize. It was a pleasant, unexpected evening.
4. Wednesday I had a meeting with the Sr. Center director regarding a project that we are working on. When I arrived there, firemen were standing outside passing out home Covid test kits. Seeing that I was unable to get the kit via the government, I was grateful for this opportunity. Although my plan is to not use it!! We were denied by the government because our in-law apartment is the same address as my daughter.
5. Today while doing a little bit of shopping with my grandson, I ran into a (new to me) yarn shop that my daughter gave me a gift certificate for last year. I have been wanting to get there obviously. So today my grandson and I took a look around. With him, I did not want to spend too much time--I will get back. There were mittens that I thought I would like to make for a walking friend whose hands can get painfully cold at times. The owner gave me a copy of a pattern for a different pair that are double mittens. I didn't even buy anything today. Very kind of her. And I can use some of my stash on hand.
6. I don't have to go to work tomorrow. The temperature is supposed to drop dramatically and it is expected to ice up. I don't want to be driving 35 miles on the highway on ice. (It was up to 45 deg. today)
Everyone have a nice, safe, healthy week.
1. For being able to work with local, family owned businesses to get the things that are needed done for our new house. Flooring, countertops, ceiling painting, HVAC, water heater....so grateful we have been able to schedule these things without supply chain issues and support local business at the same time.
2. For doctors, nurses, counselors, pharmacists...all of those people out there that help keep our lives running so well that we often overlook and just expect that they are always there. So grateful that they show up to work every day to bless us. What a gift.
3. For batch cooking that allows me to prep enough food to keep me from having to cook a meal every single night of the week.
4. For the ability to eat from our pantry and freezer. It is convenient, fresh, helps save money and easy.
5. For coffee and tylenol and hot showers. We are packing up our house to move and it is a lot of work. Grateful for the wisdom in practicing self care.
Happy Thursday all!
I am thankful I live in Maine where the four seasons are so incredibly distinct and beautiful. It has been brutally cold this winter and the daylight hours are super short, but when I am out in the falling snow, it is simply magical. Same for New England colors in the fall, in all their brilliance. And in the spring, when the snow melts and the sun comes out and the first wildflowers pop up in the woods? The smell of the earth as it warms is intoxicating. Then comes glorious summer, when I can swim in the lake that I can currently drive across and pick plump native blueberries on days when sunlight stretches into the night. Yes, I am feeling grateful indeed as we hunker down for another impending snow!!
I feel the same way about the seasons. Ours here in the Mid-Atlantic are a bit different than yours up in Maine, but we do get four pretty distinct seasons, all about the same length.
I love mornings too! I feel extra productive first thing.
I’m thankful for employees who are invested in their jobs, take initiative and collaborate.
I am thankful for all the content creators that post lovely homes, cute babies, delicious recipes, celiac info and thought provoking essays. I’ve learned so much from you/them! This last year I’ve enhanced my feed with additional POC for a broader perspective. I am thankful for their patience and willingness to put themselves out there in a frequently unkind environment.
I am thankful that when I incurred late fees for forgetting to pay a bill, we could absorb the hit without it being a big deal to our budget.
I am thankful my house has excellent water pressure. Showers are marevelous.
Yes. Mornings are simply the best time of day. 😉
I'm glad to hear you are feeling better and better!
1. I have to take my husband for a hearing evaluation today, and the closest location the VA could get us is about an hour and a half west from my husband's ALF; my house is an hour east of his ALF. Five hours of driving today, in other words, but one of our DD's is going with us, and will help out with everything. She took time off from her busy job for this, so I am very, very thankful. She also lives in the town where I do, so five hours of driving for her, as well.
2. I'm thankful that the nighttime low of 23 deg. F at my house this weekend didn't kill my plants. I covered all the tender plants and crossed my fingers.
3. That I finally can check out "The Kitchen Front" at the library. All the previous holds are gone, and it's my turn now.
4. That the people in my extended family who are all coming down with Covid now all have mild cases of it.
5. That when my power went out on that day we had such a cold night and it was chilly all day (40 deg. F), someone got whatever it was that fell on the line off in five minutes, so the power was back on again before the house cooled off.
Speaking of which, I'm looking into solar-powered battery back up for my house. Does anyone have any experience with this?
@JD, I enjoyed The Kitchen Front. It was an unplanned take out from the library one day. A friend and I had gone to the library to pick up some items we made and had to wait. While there, we perused the new books and I chose that one.
Reading together is fun. You reminded me of when we read the Harry Potter books as a family. I read the first few then we switched to audiobooks. We would often laugh because these book never sounded the same without the southern accent.
My thanksgivings are all Snow Storm related:
1. Snow! we got snow yesterday and are getting more today. A rare treat here.
2. Warm clothes and a heated house. Some people are without power in these low (for us) temperatures with wind chills below zero.
3. Having a good excuse to make cinnamon rolls to take to neighbors. I've wanted to do that lately, but it feels like it'd be weird, but what better time to check on neighbors than when it's bitterly cold and our kids are playing in the snow?
4. Having my kids home for a few bonus days. Since snow is such a rarity, we don't have the tools or manpower to clear roads quickly.
5. A fireplace to enjoy during the snow storm. Somehow fireplaces are even better in snowy weather.
@Kaitlin, I really can't conceive of any time in which it would be weird for anyone to give me homemade cinnamon rolls. You have very lucky neighbors.
Every day is a good day to have cinnamon rolls. 😉
@Kaitlin,
@kristin @ going country, Oh, how I long for a fireplace. I grew up with fireplaces, but alas, none as an adult.
I admit to being one of those people where making friends seems to be this elusive puzzle that I only somehow seem to stumble into once a decade or so. My wife makes friends at work, church, with the parents of our daughter's friends. Me ... not so much.
So yeah, it's something I'm a bit envious of.
As for thankful things this week:
* That we're getting a thaw and missing the next big storm. We didn't get buried from the last one but did get snow.
* That I'm getting to rewatch one of my favorite shows.
* Finally getting some of the books I ordered well before Christmas. I guess there are a lot of problems with paper that trace back to Canada. So I will have a lot to read.
* Speaking of books, I got a library card with the Boston Public library. This is available for all Massachusetts residents so hopefully I can get some nice books on my Kindle to read that my local library does not have.
@Battra92, congratulations on your new library card!
@Battra92, I knew about the BPL library card but never think about doing that. Most of the time I am able to find what I want with my local library network. I also use Overdrive and Hoopla. It is good there are so many ways to get books.
Thankful that my older daughter is open to trying new foods and doesn't complain too much about food or what I make for her. While her little sister is different on that front, I'm thankful that little sister is such an energetic soul. It was exhausting when she was a toddler but as a little girl, she brings so much sunshine to those around her.
I'm glad that so far Covid hasn't hit our family too hard. The kids tested positive but really had mild symptoms. I think I had it but recovered quickly (I'm back to working out and doing all the normal things). My husband started having some symptoms but it doesn't seem too bad for him either.
Thankful to live in a warm climate. I don't think I'd do well in the cold. I am one of those people who really loves the sunshine on her face. Living in the southwest U.S. my whole life has worked out really well for me.
Thankful I can exercise at home. It's hard to make excuses when all I have to do is walk to the other room to exercise - I even work out barefoot. It allows me to get it done at the end of the day when the kids are winding down for the night. It is tough when they come by and I'm struggling to get through one more set of burpees and they're like "That looks like fun" and start jumping but at least they're not climbing on me like they did when they were little. AND I figure it doesn't hurt for them to see that I put effort toward my health. Hopefully one day they will too.
That kind of ice is *the very best* for crunching with a shoe. The sound is *mwah* so perfect.
@Karen., Definitely my first thought as well. In fact, just last night for their bedtime story, I told my kids about spring in Alaska, when I would walk in the mornings to my school bus stop in the ditch the whole way so I could crunch all the "white" ice (the kind with air underneath). A very fond childhood memory.
Oh, I love to crunch ice under my feet too. Sometimes the ground here freezes in a rather aerated way too, and that makes for really good crunching.
So grateful for my profession, it's tiring and challenging being a teacher but honestly, I can't imagine any other profession for me. I'm grateful I practice this profession every day.
Grateful for a kitchen full of food, no need to go to the grocery store to face the mad dash before an ice storm, I've got what I need.
Grateful for an adult daughter, she is inspiring me to keep taking chances and believe in myself! She's also fun to talk to, and it wasn't always that way when she was in HS!
Coffee.
@Karen, I'm thankful that people like you are willing to step up and be teachers. A few Sundays ago, I was at an elementary school parking lot with my daughter (bike lessons) and someone pulled into the lot with a lanyard around her neck and a few bags full of things. She was a teacher. She was taking time out of her weekend to prepare her classroom for her students. On the one hand, I felt bad that she needed to dip into her own personal time. On the other, it touched me that people in this world care enough to do so. So thank you for being a teacher.
When I attended college in my mid/late 20s, I watched and listened the first few classes to find the students who wanted to be there and do well. It helped create natural study/group partners when I needed help.
This week I'm thankful that while 3/4 of my family tested positive for covid a week ago, I am the only one slowly recouperating.... yet I am doing better most days than the day before. (The 4th member had covid last November.)
I'm thankful that my work place has been understanding with my covid experience.
I called the doctor office yesterday because a lump was discovered, and they got me in today. Very thankful the NP was very calm and didn't leave me freaking out. I'm waiting for the imaging center to call me to set up a mammogram now. I'm the age where I should have my first anyway.
I'm thankful for my husband and girlfriends today. ❤
Lisa, I’m praying this turns out to be nothing major, and I’m thankful with you for the great support you’ve experienced so far.
Every time I see a picture of your adorable cat I am thankful for cats--and cat owners who share their cats! She looks sassy and chill at the same time.
I'm thankful we did not lose power last night, and so far the big ice storm they were predicting is not that bad--the streets are bad, yes, but it's coming down as little balls of ice and not freezing rain, which would be worse for the power lines.
Thankful we have a generator at the ready just in case.
She is the bestest cat. We love her so much!
1. That the dog we babysat for four months has gone home. She was such an anxious dog, the poor little thing, that she drove us up the wall some days. I was glad we took care of her now, when I am much more patient than I was when I was younger. I am glad we were able to help a soldier when he needed it, but I am really happy because it was a long four months!
2. For our pound hound. We knew he was a wonderful dog, but having a destructive, hyper, barking dog around has made us appreciate our boy even more. He must wonder why he has been getting extra treats each day since the other dog left!
3. For good neighbors who are easy going when our dog jumps the fence (we had five feet of snow so the dogs can just walk up and over the fence) to visit their dogs and when their dogs jump the fence to come over here. The dogs steal each other's bones and toys and no one gets upset. They are a much younger couple and have done things in the past like mow our lawn when they found out my husband was ill. They are terrible gardeners, which gives me the opportunity to pay them back by sharing my produce ever summer.
4. For the Olympics. I know all the criticisms about them and yet I still find it inspiring to see young people who have had the dedication to train for years to be the best they can be in their chosen sport.
5. For the husband, always the husband. Still the best person I have ever known.
Lindsey, I just want to say that I adore the way you adore your husband. It is truly heart-warming, and I am so happy for you that you have someone who loves you so well.
1. Got to see my colleagues in person this week now that we are back in the office after many folks had to quarantine. I work with nice people and it makes the commute more bearable.
2. We will soon be able to get rid of our internet phone service. Long story but my husband finally took care of some things that will make it possible to drop the service. (I do miss our old reliable landline though...anyone remember those?)
3. A good matcha latte. Every once in a while I splurge on one and this time it was really well made.
4. My husband's Christmas gift finally arrived from backorder. It's a fleece lined hoodie so he can take his morning walks and be toasty without having to wear his heavy coat. He prefers to layer for warmth.
5. The snow is almost gone. Around here it quickly becomes a major slushy mess and makes the commute more difficult.
My best friends in the world are all from high school and college. I am thankful for them. (One passed away in 2019. I was able to be with her when she passed, I'm very grateful for that--just before the pandemic lockdowns started, but I miss her terribly!).
This week I'm thankful for SNOW. We've been under a travel advisory (no unnecessary travel) for two days so far - maybe tomorrow, also? I prefer bright white fresh snow over dirty gray rain and clouds - so cheerful looking! And I love watching it fall, especially when I can watch it from my nice warm home.
I'm also thankful that a day BEFORE it all started, I was able to get a gallon of milk (no, I didn't buy any bread or eggs - LOL!) and gas up my car, and that we already had plenty of food in the house to tide us over for several days.
AND because I can't go anywhere else, I've been able to complete a couple of decluttering projects at home.
So YAY for SNOW!
I am thankful for friends who are giving us free boxes and loaning us dollies and furniture movers for our upcoming move.
I am thankful that my husband is not a picky eater and happily eats leftovers and scraps turned into "breakfast tacos."
I am thankful for the free advice I am getting for a part-time job I picked up.
I am thankful that we got to watch some of the Olympics on Peacock (for just $5). We don't have cable or antenna reception so we rarely get to watch live sports. What a treat!
I am thankful that my family lives close enough to come and visit just for the day.
I am not naturally good at initiating conversation with people. I am naturally very shy. However, I have a friend, M, who is excellent at initiating conversation. She chats people up everywhere she goes. I always admired this ability so much so I asked her about it. She told me it was easy, just say something, anything really. Most people are waiting and hoping that someone else will talk first.
So now when I am in an awkward situation with strangers, I just think, what would M do? M would talk to that lady. Then I do. It’s been amazing, it’s really changed my outlook.
Anyhow, I think it’s wonderful that God made you this way! That is definitely something to be grateful for. But for other shy folks, I highly recommend trying it out despite your fear. As it turns out, nothing bad is going to happen to you. One time, a lady actually dramatically turned her back on me when I tried to talk to her. But even though that was the very thing I feared so much, it was fine. As M would say, her loss!
Aww, I love that you have adopted this. And yes, I generally find that people are pretty receptive to friendly overtures. You do always run into a few people here and there who do not want to reciprocate, but they are the exception, not the rule.
All my thankful comments seem to be mostly health related. I’m thankful all was good with my colonoscopy but I will have to have another in 5 yrs.
I’m thankful that 2 days later I was able to pass a kidney stone-worse pain I’ve ever had-and thankful for that fabulous medicine Toredol IV I got in ER that gave me relief.
I’m thankful for a good checkup 6 months post aortic valve replacement (courtesy of cow heart tissue) that went perfectly and was out of hospital next day due to that fabulous TAVR procedure.
I’m thankful for the brains that can think up these life-saving devices and procedures.
I’m thankful for the Great Physician whose hand I’m in and who knows all my needs.
I have missed your weekly emails for the last several weeks. I found you on Google to make sure you were still posting. Is there something I need to do to get back on the regular email distribution list?