Thankful Thursday | Regular Kristen here
This week, I am thankful:
that I feel more like Regular Kristen than I did last week
I got a chance to get a bit more rest over the weekend, and I think that helped a lot. I feel more like my usual self this week, and I am grateful.
that it worked out to walk to school yesterday
I haven't done that in a bit for a variety of reasons. But yesterday everything aligned to make it possible.
that we are halfway done with exams in this class
I got a 92% on my second one, so I have lots of wiggle room to pass this class. You need a minimum of 150 exam points, and I already have 94, so it should not be a problem to get the remaining 56 points over the next two exams.
You all know that I love me some margin! So this makes me very very happy.
Also, we are way over halfway through the material...exam 3 has all new lecture material, but exam 4 is a cumulative final exam, so that's all on material we have already learned/studied/been tested on.
that I only have to go to clinical in the city one more time
I do not love this clinical assignment, largely because it requires a lot of driving time. It's an 8-hour clinical, but I leave my house at 11 am and don't get back until about 10 pm.
So, it's almost as long of a day as when I work 12-hour shifts at my nearby hospital!
My group and I are super happy we are almost done.
that we haven't had to pay for any parking
We get one validated parking pass per group per week, and since we have faithfully carpooled each week, we all have paid exactly $0 for parking. Yay us!
that I haven't lost the packet of parking validations
My instructor gave them to me at the start of our rotation, and I was very nervous I would misplace them (they are very small!)
So, I stuck them in a zippered inner compartment of my clinical bag, so that they are safe and secure.
I know myself well enough to realize I would almost certainly lose a small packet like this if I was not careful. It's just so easy to mindlessly put things like that down and then forget where they are.
(I have lost enough things in my life to make me grateful for the times I don't! Ha.)
for the knowing-your-own-foibles that comes with age
The parking validation responsibility made me think of this:
When you've stacked up enough trips around the sun, you start to be able to anticipate your own mistakes, based on past history.
For instance, you know how I have forgotten to bring doctor referral forms or bloodwork orders with me so many times? Well, because of that, I always put them in my glove compartment right away, even if the appointment is months down the road.
And now I never show up without the form.
(I do, however, sometimes have to run back out to my car because I forget that I even need a form until I arrive at the front desk. Ha.)
I also know that I should never trust myself to throw everything in the dryer and then remember to come back in a few minutes and pull out the things I only want to be fluffed a bit.
So in that scenario, I just turn the dryer onto a 5-minute setting. That way if I forget to come back, I haven't accidentally shrunk anything.
Life operates more smoothly when you are able to compensate for your persistent flaws. 😉
for Chiquita snuggles
I don't often sit or lie down on the couch, but when I do, Chiquita is SO happy. She always comes and sits on my lap or lays down on me.
And then, of course, I feel like it would be rude to get up. So it's some nice quasi-forced rest. 😉
She may have only two brain cells, but she is a good cuddler.
for the mint KitKat that Zoe brought home for me
A million miles better than regular KitKats if you ask me!
So glad you're having a better week! Can relate, as we all have rough weeks from time to time. And life is such a mix of highs and lows! Great job on your exams btw!!
@PD, adding some thankfuls too...
-thankful for dear family & looking forward to being with them next week
-thankful for human comforts (food, heat, home, car, etc)
-thankful for meaningful/fulfilling work and interesting variety from day to day
-thankful for some positive feedback at work recently
-thankful for a physical body that still functions well enough to enjoy being active
-thankful for a little margin in my schedule the next couple of days, allowing me to catch up on life a bit.
Kristen- thanks for creating this uplifting space & sharing your world with us! Such a bright spot on the internet 🙂
@PD, exacatacally on thanks to Kristen for this blog!
When I have been shopping the last two weekends I have found parking quickly in really busy places.
The training I delivered on Tuesday went well and I got great feedback.
I had my partner help me rest last night when my brain was screaming at me to start painting my kitchen. Which is followed by thankfulness for being more awake to start fresh this morning.
Both of us spent half a day in online queues but did get tickets to a sold out exhibition.
I have a home with heating that is safe for me.
I have been doing a work training all week. So I am grateful for:
1) free lunch all week long! It’s been good, too.
2) spending a whole week just learning, even though I will have to spend the weekend catching up on regular work
3) we did a domestic violence simulation as part of this and we were all given envelopes with random amount of green cards representing money and yellow cards representing “goodwill.” If you wanted to leave the abusive home and stay at a hotel, that cost a lot of green money cards but no yellow cards. Staying at a friend’s house cost a lot of yellow goodwill cards, but no green money cards. I was given only one yellow goodwill card and felt so bereft with no options for help from a friend, even though this was a pretend situation.
4) the next day, my son’s school flooded and I was so so grateful that I gave “yellow cards” in real life so he is able to stay with a friend during the day and that I also have real life “green cards” so I can pay her for the extra time and effort she is expending in keeping track of his virtual school on top of her kids.
5) That I am steadily getting better after being very sick all last week.
@Tarynkay, what a great training exercise. And it's great that you understand & appreciate that not everyone has resources (financially or in form of human goodwill).
@Tarynkay, Wow that had an impact. I worked with a woman who was in a long term abusive relationship. She worked very hard (to get green cards) in the last 6 months to leave. When I knew her he had taken all of her yellow cards. Her family and long term friends were not in contact with her. I am so glad there was an older woman(probably my age now) that had been though it, and helped her get out and back on her feet.
Thank you for the reminder. We should always be watching out for others.
@Amy cheapohmom,
Isolation from family and friends is common among the abused. Your colleague was fortunate that she still worked and had contact with others. Never, ever give up on those you love.
@Bee, in fact, isolation and the associated dependence is a hallmark of abuse as well as a prime enabler. If you're concerned that someone is im a abusive relationship, see if they're isolated. It's pretty much the #1 item on the checklist.
Then, if you want to help, crate and maintain a connection, no matter what.
@Tarynkay, I really love how financial and personal support is conceptualized by the green and yellow cards. I feel like it's going to stick with me a long time, thanks so much for sharing.
@Tarynkay and others, thank you for an excellent and thought-provoking thread.
@Bee, isolation is a HUGE red flag. Glad someone was there for her.
Chiquita is terrific!
She makes me laugh so much.
I am thankful for my cuddly grandkitty. When I visited on Monday she wanted to sleep on me the rest of the afternoon. Since I made her get up so I could go home she let me know on Tuesday that she was calling the shots that day and only sat on my lap for a short while.
I am thankful for the wonderful weather we've had the past six days. It has been warmish and there has been some sun. I am also thankful for the rain we received last night. We really needed it.
I am thankful for the ability to be active, as Kristen says "being temporarily able bodied".
I am thankful for this exercise. I have been a bit down this week but I think today will be a better day.
I am thankful for a decent home, heat, food, vehicles, friends, family, and neighbors.
I am having a hard time find some things to be thankful for when I found out that a friend's husband died last night of cancer. On the flip side, however, my other girlfriend's daughter is 34 and just had a double mastectomy because of stage 2 cancer. But they found no cancer in the lymph nodes, so that is excellent news. So cancer takes away, but also sends good news sometimes, so I am thankful for that.
I have another friend with cancer and a broken hip and I was worried about her, but she texted me this morning about her great support team, so that is a relief. I pictured her sitting in her house all day without anyone contacting her, but I was so wrong. I will keep sending cards to make her smile and continue prayers.
I am thankful I have a paper cutting machine and I can make and send cards to people. And I have plenty of paper in my stash to make said cards, so it really will only cost me a stamp.
Thankful that my daughter and son-in-law were able to purchase some land for hunting and possibly a house in the future. They are hard-working people and I'm glad they were saving for something like that. Maybe sometime in the future when they build, they'll build a granny pod for me. LOL
Weather is getting cold (finally!) and I am so thankful for all the wood we purchased in Aug and Sept and for the fires that are built every morning by the time I get up. The animals are happy too.
And Kristen, I am happy that you are having a better week. And the semester is almost over and that you are not stressing too much about your upcoming tests. I know you will do well!
I should add one really thankful moment that I forgot. My micro-manager lead has been on a 3 week vacation and I won't hear from her until after Thanksgiving. It has been so nice not to be critiqued on my work over every little thing.
@Maureen, I'm so sorry about the loss of your friend's husband. You are clearly an excellent yellow card (to quote Tarynkay's great exercise above) to your friends; I'm sure they're thankful for you.
@Maureen, maybe she has been job-hunting while away! That would be a major headache cure for you.
@Central Calif. Artist Jana, unfortunately no. She is back at her home far, far away visiting family. It has been nice and quiet and relaxing though.
@Maureen,
Thank you for reminding me.....I have a good friend who was recently diagnosed with cancer (unknown primary, but likely a gynecological cancer that has spread throughout her abdomen, as far as anyone knows). She's been getting chemo, with a big surgery planned for December 6th. I've been meaning to send her a little note.
You're so right - cancer both sometimes gives and sometimes takes away. I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend's husband, but what great news for your girlfriend's daughter!
@Maureen,
I absolutely love when my micro-manager boss takes a long vacation. The two weeks she was away in London visiting her in laws last year was heaven on Earth.
@Maureen, that would be an ADU - granny pod does not invoke a positive for me lol.
Chiquita is such a beautiful cat! I'm glad you're feeling better this week.
1. I'm thankful for some winter sunshine. It snowed in the night but it was very bright this morning and I went for a swim at the beach. It was so refreshing!
2. I'm thankful to have just one run left of Couch to 5k. I can run for thirty minutes now.
3. I'm thankful for a sweet note from a coworker.
4. I'm thankful for the TV series Somebody, Somewhere. It's so funny and heartwarming!
5. I'm thankful to be feeling happier this week.
@Sophie in Denmark,
congratulations to your #2! Well done!
@Lea, thank you! It took much longer to finish than I planned but I'm finally here. I used to go running a lot and then got out of habit, so it feels great to be running regularly again!
@Sophie in Denmark, glad you are doing Couch 2 5K. I did it many years ago and it really did help. I ran for a few years even though I was very slow. But the feeling of finishing a 5K really kept me going. It is such a rush to be able to say, "I can run a 5K!"
First, I'm hugely thankful that my next-door neighbor (NDN) **finally** let me and her other close friend (CF) persuade her to donate her dead 2005 Subaru Forester, which she can no longer drive anyway, to our local PBS station. NDN will get a tax break on the Forester (which, despite its condition, does have a low odometer reading), and it’s a great relief to CF and me to have finally gotten it out of here before its NY State registration expired. (And, incidentally, the towing driver did an awesome job getting his big rig down her narrow driveway and snaking the Forester out of her garage.)
I'm also thankful for the neighbors who, before departing for Florida for the winter yesterday, left me a holiday card with an Ollie's gift card enclosed. Back in the day, DH and I had a few skirmishes with these neighbors--and although the hatchet has been buried for some time now, it's lovely to have this evidence of it. I only wish DH were here to appreciate it too.
Finally, I remain thankful for the life of DH's high school friend's wife, through my regrets that it was "a good life cut far too short." I've made a donation to the American Cancer Society in her memory, and I'll touch base with our friend soon.
@A. Marie, I'm so sorry that cancer took your friend. It is an evil disease.
On the other hand, congratulations on gracefully ridding your neighborhood of an eyesore. I'm laughing because I've been on the other side of a similar neighborhood spat. Years ago, my DH had an 18-year-old Toyota truck which was still functional but too scary a ride to let our kids in it. He had attempted to repaint it himself with spray paint, so as you can imagine, it was truly hideous. DH kept the truck because it ran, and he could haul things in it. One day, the neighbor across the street politely asked DH to not park in front of his house. The humor is because that neighbor had his own hauling business and often parked his heavy-duty dump truck in front of our house. Granted, his dump truck was always spotlessly clean and never needed a drop of paint, but it did not contribute to the esthetics of our street. DH commenced to park down the street and a year or so later, got rid of his ugly clunker and everyone was happy.
@Book Club Elaine, it's true that the Forester was an eyesore. (So, TBH, are a lot of other things about NDN's house and yard.) But the main reason CF and I worked so hard for this is that the car was a financial and personal liability for NDN. And as soon as we can help her cancel her car insurance, it won't be one any more.
Also, one thing on both CF's and my agendas for the New Year will be some private planning (including online consultation with her nephew as necessary) for next steps to keep NDN safe. Things are moving in that direction, I'm afraid.
@A. Marie,
You are a wonderful neighbor and friend. NDN is so lucky to have you in her life as both.
@A. Marie,
My sister, also widowed this year, said just last night, as we discussed the effort it took for us to advocate for our DH's in their situations, "How does anyone, especially an older person, deal with all of that on their own, with no one to advocate for them?" Well, thanks to you, especially, as well as nephew and CF, your NDN is not dealing with it alone! Where would she be without you next door? It's not a small thing that you are doing.
I'm so glad you have a cuddly kitty! Clark is not a cuddler or a lap cat, but two nights this week he was gracious enough to sleep by my feet at night and NOT wake me up at 5 am for a snack. He's learned if he wants our bedroom door open he's got to behave, and he tries his best. He's a worrier, though, and waits by my head in the morning for me to wake up so he knows I'm alive.
I'm grateful for my friend from grad school; we met 30 years ago and lost touch with each other, but a few years ago she came across some of my letters, Googled me and found me through a book I'd published on Amazon. She is very dear to me and recently helped me with a school assignment. She is such a sweet person.
I'm grateful that DH was willing to stop by the store on his way home from work last night; it's snowing today and will be snowing tomorrow and we're all stocked up for the weekend. I did forget to put tortilla chips on the list, but maybe I will just bake some from the many corn tortillas we have on hand.
I'm grateful for hot tea and central heating! And baked potatoes. I made a baked potato bar for the first time in a while and those were some amazing potatoes I found at the store. Looking forward to a leftover one for lunch today.
@Karen A., thanks for the image of Clark the worrier! My dog will come check to see my face if he comes to bed and the blankets obscure the view to make sure it is me I guess and also sits with his nose almost touching my face when he wants me to wake up.
@Juhli, my dog gives me a very expectant look when he wants something. He's totally adorable sitting there, alert, with his big ears up. He wakes me up to go out in the morning, then wants up on the beg so he can lie next to me and put his head on my torso. He's a big guy so it's a full- length body cuddle.
Found another Thankful: I'm thankful for Karen A and Juhli, for helping find something to be grateful for, in a week that doesn't have many of them.
@WilliamB, I wish for you a better week coming up. I am thankful for your consistent wise, kind, and truthful comments here.
@WilliamB, I'm glad I could help you. And here is hoping the coming week has more things to be grateful for than this one! Some weeks are just like that...
@Juhli, Our Dane has a huge head and breathes like a steam engine. If he wants to go out in the middle of the night, which is rare thankfully, he will stand in front of my face and breathe until I finally open my eyes. He is so huge that if I am sleeping on the wrong side for him to stare at me and breathe, he can stick his head over mine and breathe in my ear. Sometimes endearing, sometime annoying.
I am sure you forgive him just as fast as I forgive Chiquita for her various transgressions. 😉
@Kristen, pets are like kids - if they weren't so dang cute, they'd not survive. We think the previous owner of the dump we took in passed away in his sleep. He's always checking and without being a pest/disruptive.
I am glad you were able to get some much-deserved rest. When I am tired, I find life harder to deal with.
I am thankful that we are having beautiful gardening weather - warm days, cool nights, low humidity, and sunshine. When the weather is like this, Rescue Pup and I could stay outside all day.
I am thankful that my son married someone wonderful. My DIL is kind, family-oriented, industrious, a great mother, supportive, smart, and loves him dearly. I hear DIL horror stories from time to time, and I am grateful that she adds so much to our lives.
I am thankful that my son and DIL had us over for dinner before they left for Thanksgiving today. At 28 months, my grandson is talking in full sentences and learning so much. I hate to miss a week.
I am thankful for the sound of a child’s laughter. This is like music!
Wishing everyone the blessings of peace, good health, and prosperity.
@Bee,
I feel that way about my son-in-law. One daughter was sadly unlucky with her husband, then with a fiancé some years later. One daughter, however, struck gold with her husband, and I thank my lucky stars that he is the man he is. As a bonus, he adores his single-mom sister-in-law and looks out for her - and now me, as a widow - as well.
Does Chiquita chew or bite your hair? My cat does, especially after I’ve been to the salon.
I’m grateful that the biopsy for the bump on my nose was negative and it has healed.
Grateful for two video phone calls this week with my friend from grad school.
So grateful for the cooler weather. I’ve acclimated enough that I’m wearing a jacket. You can spot the snow birds by their shorts and tee shirts. 😉
Grateful that I can work from home with my furry lap warmer.
Grateful for lots of streaming content at a reasonable cost. I can always find something interesting or fun to watch or rewatch.
So glad you are feeling more like yourself. 🙂
Thankful to the 63* temps yesterday.
Thankful for our house & heat to keep us warm. We had our first accumulation of snow overnight & it pretty much stayed at freezing (32* but feels like 25*) & is supposed to stay that temp until tommorow before rebounding to normal temps for weekend.
Thankful that teen & I got all leaves done in yard. I took care of some outside gardening items left out on top of some landscaping materials & removed all leaves accumulated there. Then teen took to compost as the city has not been back to our area & free city leaf pick up date is now past. Many people (including other houses around us) have piles of leaves by road & others who have not done leaves. Tomorrow should prove interesting as it is expected to be windy tommorow.
Thankful my Aunt is starting to settle into her new apartment. She is still going back to what's left of her house daily to continue to work on removing anything that's left & sorting anything that is able to be kept.
Thankful for rescue dogs. They were excited for the snow to run in but not the cold. Their wet feet jumping on me inside to ask for a treat & get petted is an adjustment.
Thankful that my dad got another item checked off his preparing for end of life list. We both feel good knowing that things are in place & will be done how he wants when the day comes. Though I was kind of surprised when he said that we have 90 days after death to pick up/completion of will. Must be a state of Florida requirement as he got paperwork instructions with his will filing for the state. Anyways, his wishes will be done. 🙂
Thankful for teen. Enjoying teen time together & teen requests to do some family traditions in upcoming holidays. And looking forward to trying to do some past traditions that have not done in long time.
And always Thankful for Kristen & her site for us to learn & share from each other.
Have a great weekend! <3
@Regina, It occurred to me that you and I are thankful for 63 degree temperatures for different reasons. For you, this is warm. For me, this is cool. Hooray for mild weather!
@Bee, 🙂
What I am thankful for:
1. My new furnace, I really didn't realize how inefficent the last one was.
2. That my mother taught me how to deep clean, and reinforced how even if it doesn't look like you did anything, your environment is better for it.
3. Since my Dh went to getting a paycheck at the beginning of the month, it shows how being frugal and having both a spending plan and budget have made us better finanically.
4. We had our furance die, fridge break, and water heater break and thankfully because of the mindset we just pivoted and fixed everything without additional costs. The furnace was planned, the fridge money came from the E-fund and DH had the part to fix the water heater.
5. My Christmas shopping is done, the house is cleaned and I can actually enjoy the season this year.
@Amy cheapohmom, I loved getting paid once a month. Life was so much easier. It took me a number of years to get used to being paid twice a month (and now bi-weekly - which I hate). On the upside, you know life is good when you forget a payday and your financial situation doesn't skip a beat.
I'm thankful for family that shows up and always is supportive
I'm thankful that nothing major was found on my house inspection (I didn't think so, but it's not like I'm on the roof real often or anything to check it out)
I'm thankful for the cooler weather
Thankful that I have so far been able to slowly move. I take a car load every day when I go to the other house, and DH usually fills up his SUV also. By the time we actually move, it should mainly just be the furniture and be quick. And because it is just a few miles down the road, I haven't "packed" much into boxes or whatever. I've just put it in the car and drove it down there.
Thankful that after today my wood floors will be done and I can start putting items in the dining room, den, and living room...right now it is all shoved in my bedroom.
Kitchen reno starts soon!
@Marlena, isn't that a lovely way to move? I did something like that when I moved last year. For me it was the books: move some empty bookcases, move and arrange the books; lather, rinse, repeat. It meant that during the full chaos of moving, I had a library corner as an oasis of calm and organization.
I hope your move continues to go smoothly.
@Marlena, Slow moving IS THE BEST. We have moved around quite a bit (always in the same metro area) and we try to have an overlap, where we have both the old rental and the new one for a month. That way we can move the essentials into the new house (beds, bedroom stuff, kitchen stuff) and then slowly cull through what we deemed nonessential. Often we end up donating or dumping quite a lot! Funny how things accumulate as we live in a place.
What a personality Miss Chaquita has! Love the photos. 🙂
My Five Thankful Things:
1) Reading outside under a warm sun. We've had a run of gorgeous days, and I am trying to get outside each afternoon to read and bask in the warmth for about an hour.
2) And the same with regard to sunsets, which are so spectacular at this time of year. I'm trying to remember to stop whatever I'm doing when the evening glow begins to occur, in order to go out onto our balcony and just sit and experience them in their entirety. A full sunset show runs about 60 minutes, and is a nice way to deal with the early hour we move into darkness at this time of year.
3) The consistent serenity I experience at the ocean. No matter how frazzled or grumpy I might be feeling, seeing and hearing the ocean just makes me feel soothed all over. My goal this year, now that we live so close, was to make a point to experience the ocean in some form (walking, hiking, biking, paddling, gazing) as close to daily as possible, and so far I'd give myself a B+ for the year.
4) For the warm cup of coffee waiting for me when I come downstairs in the morning. My husband gets up about a half hour earlier than I do, and bless him for getting the coffee going first!
5) For strong girlfriends who like to walk or hike lots of miles while we chat. I'm leaving shortly for my second 10 mile hike this week, a different girlfriend than I went with earlier. The energy and bonding we create together as we walk is it's own gift. Plus afterwards we eat! Today we'll be enjpying fabulous Mexican food post-hike, yezh!
@Tamara R, your life sounds awfully close to perfect. . . (get thee behind me, Envy!)
@Central Calif. Artist Jana, I have bumps just like everyone else, but I will say that the cure to everything does seem to be just going outside, and if possible, moving my body! (Plus I'm now retired, so more time to call my own 🙂 )
I laughed out loud at your "two brain cells" comment about Chiquita. That's how we feel about our cat Stuart (although, as I frequently tell my husband, he was smart enough to be extra cute and get himself adopted--there was a roomful of adorable kittens to choose from, so that was a feat!).
I suppose that makes my cats as my first thankful item. They are pretty amazing at making me laugh. Thankful I don't have to work today--we're getting our first batch of wintry weather (mixed precipitation, ugh) and I can avoid the slippery roads. Thankful for a healthy body--I'm doing some deep cleaning of our basement, which involves heavy lifting, and I wouldn't be able to do it without good health. I'm thankful that being an empty nester has the benefit of cooking less and doing less laundry. I have more time for other projects (like the basement) now that I can reheat-and-eat my meals instead of taking the time to cook. Thankful that I have made a good start at Christmas shopping. Thankful for my husband, who is a rock star. And for free trial memberships--Amazon Prime and Sirius XM Radio, I'm looking at you!
Yay for regular Kristen!
I am thankful for:
Vacation all next week
A therapist to help me figure myself out
A warm house (we finally turned on the furnace!)
Snuggly, yet playful cat
The amazing things a cell phone can do. Call/text those I love to tell them I'm thinking of them, listening to books on tape, playing a quick game of solitaire when I need to distract myself for five minutes.
That I can afford new shoes when my feet tell me it's time.
My local Buy Nothing groups
My library system
The extra benefits of working where I do. Access to a library, a gym, and a hiking path.
You had to tell us about the chocolate mint Kit Kats! I love chocolate mint. I will have to avoid these, because I would eat the entire bag at once.
1. I'm thankful that my sister is staying over a few extra days. I'm not thankful that a tropical storm is what kept her from driving home when she had expected to leave, but it means she's there to take care of the dogs while the new fence is being put up. She can leash them and take them out during the day, since they can't run free in the back yard while it's being re-fenced. My dogs love her.
2. I'm thankful for a good check up yesterday, and for my doctor, who took time to ask specific questions about how I was handling the loss of DH and offered prayers for me.
3. I'm thankful that the grief workshop I attended last weekend gave some solid advice on handling holidays after a loss. People have different grief triggers and different desires for special remembrances. For instance, would it help if we put out a plate for the missing loved one at the holiday table, or not? (My daughters' response - Not.) Are there traditions that meant a lot to the loved one that it would comfort you to continue? For us, DH's beloved traditional Christmas Lane cake, from DH's mother's recipe, is the tradition we will definitely continue. I would have just wallowed into the holidays totally unprepared without this thoughtful workshop.
4. I'm thankful for the chilly air this morning! It's about time!
5. I'm thankful that we can watch movies at home. A theater is still a fun experience, but I can pull up or pop in a movie and enjoy it whenever I want.
@JD, me too @ chocolate mint! My mom used to make grasshopper brownies (not sure if anyone still calls them that) and for some reason I've been dreaming of them lately. We're supposed to stay away from sugar so I can't make a panful, but I'll have to look for some small chocolate mint treats.
@JD, I said the same thing about those mint Kit-Kats!
You are so brave about marching forward without your DH instead of wallowing.
And movies at home don't involve your feet sticking to the floor, another benefit over theaters.
@Suz, My mom made (and called 'em) grasshopper brownies too.
@Suz, My mom used to make grasshopper pie when we were little. Oreo crumb crust and the prettiest green and mintiest filling with Oreo crumbs over the top. We get together with my sister's family on my mom's birthday every August even now that she has passed and for this year's dessert I made grasshopper pie 🙂 A delicious dessert, but even more wonderful (if still tearful) memories.
@Central Calif. Artist Jana,
I laughed about the sticky floors. They ARE sticky, aren't they?
@Suz,
Lucky you! My mom made regular chocolate brownies sometimes, but her specialty was butterscotch brownies. I was the only one in my family who hated butterscotch. If only she had made grasshopper brownies... yum!
Chiquita is adorable.
This week I'm thankful
- that I was able to schedule surgery on my foot before the end of the year. My present will be getting out of the walking boot on Christmas day. Bonus for us that we've met our out-of-pocket max for the year so surgery shouldn't cost us anything.
- that DH, DD, DS, and BFF have all offered to be an elf and help me get ready for Christmas after my surgery.
- that my nephew and his wife driving up to join our Thanksgiving celebration and meet our grandson for the first time
- that DH is driving with me 2 hours away on Saturday to keep our grandson while DD and SIL go to a wedding to which children are not invited. Will be nice to have company on the drive.
- that I finally got an eye exam which I had been putting off for far too long
I'm somewhat where Kristen was last week so I will try, focusing on avoiding "it could be worse" type of answers.
The dog's vet visit went well and, unless there's something negative in the bloodwork, he's still healthy.
Wheelchair ramp from house to garage is now installed.
Fall weather.
• Our older dog had surgery on Tuesday and is doing well. He had a few lumps removed but they were in tricky places. He’s been sleeping because of his pain meds but he gives us tail wags when he’s awake. The puppy is mostly gentle and letting the older dog sleep.
• The puppy brings so much joy to our house. He’s very smart and is learning so many things. Our nights are filled with so much laughter because he’s so playful when the boys come home.
• I’ve been home this week watching both dogs and I was feeling a little overwhelmed. My husband asked how he could help and I jokingly said “send nachos.” Yesterday afternoon a delivery of chips and nacho cheese showed up on the front porch. It was such a sweet gesture and I felt loved.
• Last weekend I was able to have breakfast with my cousin and her wife. They were in town for just the weekend and had a packed schedule but we were able to share a meal together and catch up.
• I’m so thankful for our library and their collection of audiobooks. Audiobooks are expensive for libraries so I am always grateful when they have a book I am looking for.
• I’m thankful for our freezer packed full of produce from our CSA this summer. Prepping the veggies to freeze was a chore this summer but it makes dinner time a little easier to have everything prepped.
For starters, I'm thankful I've never heard of mint Kit-Kats! I remember being smitten by Junior Mints in high school, am helpless in the presence of Thin Mints, and cannot be trusted alone with Breyer's mint chocolate chip.
Regular thankfuls:
- The power is on today (had another unplanned 12 hour outage yesterday)
- A great crew to work on a clean-up-the-church day
- Got enough donations to ship the 25 Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes that we cobbled together from leftover tchotchkes that were stashed at church (WHY??)
- Fall color is a-blazin' in the foothills right now (all the non-natives, of course, but that is not a sin, so there.)
- A friend had another extra continuous glucose monitor for me; this time I am eating the best I know how see if what keeps the glucose from spiking. (Last time I experimented and learned that smoothies and fig newtons both are nutso crazy spike-ish!)
@Central Calif. Artist Jana, I'm with you on the mint goodies. It sounds to me like those leftover tchotchkes were at your church for a very good reason. Hope the glucose monitor helps identify those spikes. These days health maintenance includes too much prevention for my tastes.
@Central Calif. Artist Jana, I worked for many years as a parish administrator and had to frequently bite my tongue when people would show up with old furniture and boxes of junk to donate when they should have driven the extra three miles to the dump. However, the parish caterer and I cleaned out the basement one spring and had a yard sale of donated junk that raised enough money for a portable fire pit with a screen cover so we could have festive gatherings in the courtyard.
@Central Calif. Artist Jana,
My DH used to spike with French fries, but not so much with potatoes in any other form. And watermelon put him through the roof.
That's so interesting; I'd have thought the fat in the french fries would have helped to mitigate the spiking a bit!
@JD, I echo what Kristen thought about the fat in fries. Watermelon, pineapple, and grapes are the highest sugar fruits. Highly disappointing, except that I have never liked pineapple.
@Central Calif. Artist Jana, my dad always got any Junior Mints we got from trick-or-treating. The Hershey's Mint bars (late 80s perhaps?) I found quite yummy. Plus there was some type of rebate (money or free bar(s), can't remember) which was icing on the cake, I mean the bar.
Wonderful that you are feeling better!
1) I have a work from home job that I love.
2) My back is getting better (still hurts but I'm back to exercising) and I have a great chiropractor that I saw yesterday.
3) The cats! Always on my list, they bring so much joy.
4) I'm not hosting Thanksgiving this year.
5) Making mango smoothies at home yesterday, delicious and much cheaper than at the Smoothie place.
OK so i busted out laughing at the brain cell comment!! Just glad i didn't have a mouth full of coffee 🙂
@Plaidkaren, me too!
@Plaidkaren, Chiquita has exactly as many brain cells as she needs to keep Kristen and all the rest of us besotted with her.
@A. Marie, I'm sure she has a lot more and is plotting her get even. The male dump we took in has turned my better half into a cat person - to the point his comment is I don't have to outlive the cat. He's okay with the female we took in (both were spay/neuter ASAP but the kitten female was pregnant). We're positive the male's prior owner was a male around my better half's age. Best of all, they are the best of friends despite a the female being at the house for 3 days before she was fostered until she weaned her sole surviving kitten. The video I have of their reunion was stopped after 2 minutes. They are best buddies. And now we think the feral was in the male's prior life - as in both dumped and the feral was on the street for six months longer than the male we took in. He was not on the street long - his white paws were too clean.
It's so impressive how you continue to ace all your classes. Steady effort and smart are a winning combo!
I'm thankful that
-I have good insurance through my employer.
-the pain from a heartbreaking situation for our family is starting to dull a bit. Still painful but not so piercing.
-the difficult conversation I had to have with a cousin didn't end in yelling or with him cutting ties with me or my parents. I truly hope that he understands that we brought it up out of concern for him.
-I'm not too sore from starting to exercise again. A yoga class and a spin class so far this week. Haven't done either in ages but both felt pretty good.
-that my primary care physician gave me the paperwork in May to get my A1C checked midyear. It made it so that I could (and WOULD) go back in November instead of waiting again until my annual exam next spring. If I had to make another appointment to get the paperwork, I probably wouldn't have gone and the accountability undoubtedly will help me drive the number down by the time I see her again next May. My number's the worst it's ever been so that's not great. It's been a stressful 3 months and I haven't been taking care of myself so I guess I'm also thankful for the opportunity to do something about my health and that I understand what it is I need to do.
Wow! Was just discussing this same concept- the best part of being old is just accepting that the dumb S**t you've been for decades is better off accepted than punished.
Case in point is that I lose things. Often. This is no longer traumatic due to my acceptance. I lost my purse at the airport just last night. However, due to the fact I have multiple ID's I keep in various places, wear my phone around my neck, and have keys planted basically in all my neighbor's houses, I was able to suffer minimal damage. And my keys have apple tags so I actually know they are still somewhere in the airport.
I have apple tags on EVERYTHING. Never losing keys is awesome. Forgetting to change the batteries in one of them, and promptly losing that key, is not awesome.
Worst mistake was prepaying a car reservation and getting dinged for it in painful fees. Oh, and losing my ipad, which I dearly loved. However, because it's in lost mode, I have hope.
@ms.b214@gmail.com, I like your apple airtags idea. I have worn a cross body purse since the age of 40 (which was over two decades ago) because I unknowingly left my purse in a McDonalds in rural Virginia, drove an hour down the road, and spent another hour driving back to get it. Miraculously, nothing was missing, not even a penny. Cross body bags are not terribly attractive but I can't function without them.
--I am thankful for the 14, almost 15, years my dog has been with me. I got her when she was about 1 1/2 or 2 years old, so she's now 15 or 16 years old, which is ancient for a German shepherd....although she's only part shepherd and part who-knows-what. (I'm guessing angel or teddy bear, LOL.) It is so heartbreaking to see her just about eaten alive with cancer. Two or three years ago, we noticed a swelling on her lower jaw near her mouth and thought it might be an abscessed tooth or maybe a snakebite or bug bite. Vet said it was a tumor and short of removing her entire lower jaw and chin, a painful surgery which would NOT prolong her life, there was nothing he could do. He said for me to just take her home and love her to death. I've certainly spoiled her to death, as well! She wasn't bad off at first, but lately her quality of life has plunged to zero: the tumor has grown until it's covered her left lower teeth and there's also a marble-sized growth under her eye. She winces any time I try to pet her and accidently touch those areas, so it must be really painful. I let her in the backyard this Sunday and she ran into some bushes and ran into the fence and tree trunk and could not find her way back to the backdoor. So she is blind when she goes out in the sunlight. Last night, when I fed her, her lower legs gave out and I had to help her stand up. You know where all this is leading: I had to make an appointment to take her to the vet for the last time. She will be put to sleep Monday afternoon, and I am so sad about it! I've had crying spells all this week and feel like the meanest person on the planet. But she hurts in cold weather, probably has arthritis, and we're to get a winter blast next week, so it is time. I don't want my sweet fur-baby to suffer any more.
--I am thankful for the people whose jobs it is to help me, esp. when they do a good job. I ordered some eyeglasses at Walmart and the Vision Center clerk could not have been more helpful, more professional or more expert. Ditto, the insurance agent who helped me pick out a new Medicare Advantage plan (shame on you, Humana, for discontinuing your MA plan in my state and for trying to substitute a program that is said to be really bad.) The locals hospitals have a plan that is supposed to be super wonderful, and the agent looked up all my Rxes and doctors to make sure they're in program.
-- I am thankful for our church women's group going out to eat once a month and having fellowship time. I live too isolated a life, but socializing like this helps.
--Thankful for my gas fireplace which not only heats the great room but also serves as a standby heater should the electricity go out.
--Thankful that, so far in my life, I live in a democracy with fair and just laws for the most part.
@Fru-gal Lisa, I'm so sorry about your dog's prognosis. I just had a conversation at church about letting dogs die naturally versus putting them to sleep, and multiple people jumped in to say that they only regretted the times they let their dogs die naturally - much more painful for them. 15 years is incredible for a shepherd mix; you clearly made sure she had a good life!
@Fru-gal Lisa, it's so hard to say goodbye to our loved pets. My thoughts are with you. It sounds like she had a great doggy life with you.
@Fru-gal Lisa, about the time you got your sweet dog, we made the decision to have the vet put down our beloved dog, Shadow. So, I am feeling for you right now. I am encouraged by a quote from Queen Elizabeth, who said after her husband died, "Grief is the price we pay for love."
@Fru-gal Lisa, So sorry to hear about your pup. Even though it might not feel like it sometimes, you're doing the right thing. I hope this weekend is comfortable and contentment filled for you both.
@Fru-gal Lisa, I am so sorry about your sweet dog. We had to make that decision for our beautiful old longhaired dachshund earlier this year when she came down with two different types of cancer. She was already struggling from a genetic form of vision loss and severe arthritis. We kept her going a few months until she developed the cough that meant cancer had gone to her lungs. Her genetics were a trainwreck -- she was rescued as a puppy from a neglectful backyard breeder, but she was gorgeous and feisty and made me laugh so much. There will never be another like her.
Aww, Lisa, I am so sorry about your dog. You are a good owner to consider what is best for your pup, even when that answer makes you sad.
@Ruby, We are getting closer with our super sweet, 15+ old dachshund; she has no terminal diagnosis, just multiple systemic health issues that seem to be robbing her of more and more quality of life (especially cognitive decline - it breaks my heart to look over and see her "stuck" in a corner even when we're all nearby).
@Fru-gal Lisa, I am so sorry about your dog!
@Suz, (((Hugs))). Dachshunds are something special.
@Suz, Angel, Book Club Elaine, Crunchy Cake, Ruby and Kristen,,
Thank you all for such kind words! I'm the second owner of my pup and she is definitely the best free thing I ever got off of Craigslist. Some college boys were graduating and didn't take her with them; she was the animal in their "animal house." (Rich college boys don't live in dorms or apartments anymore; they had a fancy townhouse!) A professor had rescued her, as a small puppy, from being shut up in a horse trailer out in the country. It was the middle of summer in 100+ degree temps, and the litter obviously was shut in there bc the prof's next door neighbor was trying to kill them all. Somehow that cruel person had also whacked off their tails so my Shephard mix has a stumpy tail more suited to a terrier. Except its so lopsided, you can tell a vet did NOT bob her tail. When the college boys were about to graduate, they realized that an adult dog her size probably wouldn't get adopted at the pound so they advertised her on Craigslist. I picked her up on Mother's Day and thus became her human mama. I guess I need to realize that my puppy-dog could have (and probably would have) died long ago if not for her many rescuers.
@Fru-gal Lisa, you are not the meanest person on earth, you are a compassionate, responsible pet person. PTS sucks the big one - we've had to do it far too many times. But it was the right thing to do. You took her in, gave her the life of Reilly - not much more a pet (family member) could ask for. It still bums me out about a cat who died almost 45 years ago. Yeah, they find a special place in your heart. But take heart, there are far too many pets who deserve the home you can give them. That gets me through it. See my posts re: dumps we've taken in (and not just the recent ones). The pain lessens but the good memories remain.
@Fru-gal Lisa, am so sorry tears are falling from my eyes. g-d bless you and your wonderful pup. so hard to give them peace and you heartbreak. a big hug and a prayer from me to you.
Chiquita is so cute in those pictures! And I'm glad you're having a better week.
I'm thankful for sunny weather even though it's been getting cold (finally!) and raining off and on. It's nice to have sunny days in between the cloudy ones, which is never guaranteed in November.
I'm also thankful for a safe, warm house and a heater that works.
I'm thankful for my cats keeping me company while I work today, and even more thankful for the ability and opportunity to work.
I'm also thankful that I have plenty of good food right now. Yesterday was a big cooking/baking day, and it's so nice to have lots of good things ready to eat.
I am thankful that Kristen's furry kitchen ornament makes me smile in her every photo.
So lovely to have a snuggly cat! Cats are a good reminder to do some self care for yourself, and to slow down and mindfully appreciate the little moments.
I chucked out loud when I read your comment about Chiquita...mainly because intelligence-challenged but cuddly cats are the FUNNIEST and I can relate.
Chiquita must like grooming your hair, which is always sweet. My big, lovely girl kitty insists on smelling my breath. I think she likes to see what I've been eating! 😀
@Ruby, our third cat, Dizzy--the kitten DH rescued from under the hood of his Suburban on a cold December day over 30 years ago--was convinced I was his bio-mom from the moment DH brought him in to me. He would suckle my hair from then till the night before we had to put him down for fast-moving problems that probably resulted from FIV (long story). DH would always say (speaking for Dizzy), "There's gotta be milk in there somewhere!" Lordy, how I miss both those sweet guys.
@A. Marie, (((Hugs))).
Thankful for the multiplied joys reading through the comments and sharing/dividing the sadness.
Our "family" (early) Thanksgiving get-together was generally without friction.
Thankful I have an answer to the fatigue and being cold. My thyroid function is out of whack. I thought I was just being lazy.
Thankful to be able to set up an appointment regarding "lifting" my eyelids. The droopiness has really effected my vision.
Thankful that my budget billing for electricity has dropped by five dollars. I find this quite funny because the company has been relentless w emails regarding me reaching or passing my use threshold. I filled out every survey scolding them for such behaviour when (in this area) they have plowed through with little regard to eminent domain in raising (400) windmills (three of which "fell" over) and then suckering farmland owners into setting up over a thousand acres in solar panels. And I am a single electricity user w no TV and currently do my laundry out. Anyway when I saw the email, I was prepared for the worst. I certainly didn't expect it to be lowered.
Thankful for my trusty companion. She has been stymied at my presence almost all day long for nearly two weeks while I've been on staycation. Love my Molly. She has the sweetest disposition.
Hmm . . . let me give this a think.
- I am thankful that my house is uncluttered enough to host a surprise houseguest tonight.
- I am thankful that my "shut down for remodeling" library opened up a "mini library" to pick up holds and "lucky day" books. They remodeled this location maybe 22 years ago and didn't give us this option.
- I am thankful that we were able to sell my late in-law's albatross of a car without having to go through the hassle of listing it.
- I am thankful that I have a couple things in my calendar to look forward to.
Does Chiquita make biscuits on you?
You are in possession of the parking validations because you are a mom. I am not saying that tongue in cheek. I swear at least half of my salary is due to being a "mom" to my team.
1 - Thankful for the feral - not because he's a feral but because he's decided this is his home. He sleeps in the tote we insulated, knows we feed him, and knows if we're not home, he can go to my cat loving neighbor's house for a meal. After 2 1/2 years, he can meow at times. I'll likely never be able to pet him but he knows we're on his side.
2 - Mostly due to luck as I was checking something else, realized a file was empty and had time to crowbar the data into its proper home. Would have slowed down a weekend process next week and likely resulted in someone being paged out (more than one time).
3 - Dad is still doing well. I was concerned mom's passing would result in his. He adopted two cats which gives him purpose in life (though he needs to be more stringent on the amount of food and treats!). Sibling and I live very close to him and he is exceptionally independent for a male of his age. Took care of mom at home until she passed - her being in a nursing home during Covid-19 would have killed both of them.
4 - That my kiddos spend time with my Dad. He's the last grandparent standing but local younger kiddo comes out to visit him almost every week. Full disclosure - my kiddos are his only grandchildren.
5 - would Kristen's line but @Rose, where are you?
Cat snuggles and KitKats are always good!
I’m thankful for/that …
1) My friend’s kindness and patience in helping me get started on my sewing machine.
2) My husband was on call but had his full set of days off to rest which was what he really needed.
3) The help my husband gives me with cooking and taking care of the kids.
4) I’m able bodied and can spend 2 hours shoveling snow off my driveway and be fine afterwards.
5) Christmas music. We’ve become one of those people who like listening to it before Thanksgiving. For some reason, it really feels like Christmas has come earlier this year.
I'm thankful for thoughtful actions by others to let me know they care--my car being cleaned of snow when I left work to go home, an unexpected sweet treat from an acquaintance, volunteers in my classroom, an inquiry of any prayer requests, help with a big marking project, etc. It is a very busy and somewhat stressful season and feeling seen helps with feelings of overwhelm.
glad you are feeling better. i love mint kit kats but he pink lemonade ones are super duper. found them when we went to jim thorpe pa. i lost a tooth but the dentis put it back in temporarily while we search for a better solution. it was in the fron and i was so mortified. on weds nite i could barely sleep. the dentist said it wasn't pretty but compared to the hole that was there before it was gorgeous. as it is thanksgiving next weak il envisioned the hole being there forever.
both my kids are doing well in school. my daughter is at a specialized high school and it turns out my son's middle school is a gifted and talented school. who knew. now we navigate the mess that is applying to high school. but i trust the universe to do what is best for him.
as always love the chiquita photos.
So thankful my sister’s move went smoothly this past weekend. Thankful we had strength and stamina to help her but even more thankful she hired two strong college guys who carried most of the furniture and heavy boxes to the moving van.
Very glad we have a visit scheduled to visit our grandson next week since we won’t see him on Thanksgiving.
Two brain cells - LOL!
Love that you can walk to school! I'd definitely walk to work if I could, but the 3.5 hours each way (yes, I just checked maps 🙂 is NOT happening, and unfortunately, public transportation isn't great here. Maps says 2:40 to walk, bus, bus, walk. So I'll drive my little car 15 minutes each way.
Two brain cells??
Chiquita is such a cutie. My cat isn’t snuggly at all. She’s a touch-me-not.
I am so lucky that Chiquita is a snuggle bug!
And I say the “two brain cells” with the utmost affection. Heh.