Thankful Thursday | She made it!
This week, I'm thankful:
that Lisey did make it here!
She was flying standby through her company, and of course that is always a little bit iffy. But she made her flight here and back without a hitch. Whew!
It was a super quick visit (less than 48 hours), but we took a little road trip to see my Uncle Ron and Aunt Kathy (the ones Lisey lived with during aviation mechanic school).
And we also visited with my parents.
that my Thanksgiving night shifts got switched
I somehow got auto-scheduled for nights on Thanksgiving and the day after; Thanksgiving IS my holiday to work, which is no big deal, but obviously I would rather not work nights.
Apparently the holiday shifts were scheduled back in January, which is before I begged my way out of night shifts. Ha. So, the scheduler moved me to days, and I am thrilled. I do not at all mind working Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday; I just want to sleep at night. 😉
that my ethics class is not crazy hard
It is largely reading, discussion posts, and a few exams. It's actually very nice to be in a class with fewer big projects and papers; my BSN classes are always assigning me long papers, and I am getting tired of writing them!
My one-credit health and nutrition class starts in a few weeks (also at the community college), and I imagine that one will be even easier.
that I am getting close to being approved for clinicals
There is a long list of vaccine/background check/physical exams/drug test requirements that I have to check off before I can do clinicals next semester and I have most of them done now.
My three remaining things are my CPR (which I told you is probably going to be resolved), my flu shot (which I will get at my hospital in October), and my hepatitis B titer.
Unfortunately, my Hep B immunity seems to be non-existent, even though I got vaccinated in 2023. I'm doing a two-shot series now; I got one last week, I'll get another in three weeks, and then I need a titer drawn another month or two after that.
So, as long as my body manages to produce some antibodies this time around, I should be all set for clinicals. Here's hoping I'm not a non-responder.
(I am trying, somewhat unsuccessfully, not to imagine what kind of headache my school is going to give me if I don't produce Hep B antibodies. Please, immune system, respond!)
that we're down to 11 weeks until winter break
Two more weeks, and we'll be in the single digits. Woohoo!
for my car
We're coming up on a year since I bought it, and my goodness, I still feel very, "Wait? This is mine??" when I walk out and see it.
It feels so crazy that I have something this nice to drive.
The 49 mpg is pretty sweet too. 🙂
for the joy of working part-time
I'm not very far into the two-shifts-a-week life (down from three, which is full-time), but I can tell that it is helping already.
You wouldn't think that going down just one shift would make a big difference, but it really does. My schoolwork is feeling more manageable now (even with an extra class), and I'm also a little less behind on stuff at home.
Heck, I'm even finding time to do a freezer challenge.
The actual work shifts feel easier too; each shift is either my first of the week or my last of the week! 😉
Going part-time was 100% the right decision for me.
that my ferritin levels are sort of normal
Ferritin is a blood protein that stores iron, and while my iron levels were fine last time, my ferritin was still too low.
I got that rechecked when I went in for my physical and my vaccine titers, and I'm happy to say I am out of the low range now. Yay! My iron levels are also good now.
Yay for seeing Lisey!
Thankfuls:
- I went to Sweden after work yesterday and caught up with a friend. I am very tired today but it was worth it.
- Sugar-free September is over! I did it imperfectly - I mostly cut out refined sugar, so continued eating fruit, and I'm sure I ate and drank some things with added sugar - but I didn't eat any chocolate or sweets, and, most annoyingly, I do feel better for it. The first couple of weeks were bad but then I felt a lot more balanced and there was a rise in energy levels. Having said that, I think I will still eat chocolate and sweets, but I will continue to reduce them.
- I went to the gym the other day and moved up to the next level of dumbbell weights. I can now lift 10 kg (22lbs).
- I'm going to see Practical Magic 2 with a friend tomorrow which I'm excited for. I love the first film and I love going to the cinema!
- I had an issue with my smoke alarm this weekend which resulted in it blaring non-stop for TWO HOURS. It wouldn't stop even after the smoke cleared (it went off when I burnt some toast) and there was no button to silence it. Eventually I managed to get hold of some out of hours caretaker who was able to turn it off. The whole thing was immensely frustrating (I may have cried) but I'm thankful it was actually able to be turned off and I didn't have to pay a fine. I went for a swim afterwards which fixed my mood. Speaking of which, I went for a swim after going to the gym the other day and then noticed I was surrounded by jellyfish! I'm thankful I didn't get stung!
We've been known to unscrew blaring detectors once the source of the alarm was identified.
Water here still late spring temperatures!
Unfortunately my neighbour told me there's a fine for unscrewing it!
Water is still lovely here too!
The argument I'd make to management is that if I can't get someone to deal w it, then unscrewing it seems perfectly appropriate.
Your "went to Sweden" reminded me of when my brother worked in Europe. They never got it right so when he liven in Copenhagen his project always seemed to be in Stockholm and vice versa. This was pre-Schengen so his passport was extremely fat with extra pages.
Oh wow! Fortunately I only travelled to the south (although I did go to Stockholm last year). It does seem funny that I can go so quickly from country to country though! Of course, most countries in Europe are closer, but you have to take a plane or ferry from the UK, or the Eurostar, and it generally takes longer. It's a very short journey to southern Sweden from where I am.
Crying ... I get it. Glad things are better now.
Thank you! It was a rare moment where I was really wishing I had a partner; having someone else deal with it or at least help would have made it so much less stressful.
I understand that so much, Sophie. I've always been on my own, so there is no one else to deal with the things that inevitably come up. I admire you for sticking it out-I think I would have ripped it off the wall-they are so loud. That was smart of you to go for a swim afterwards! Take care-Amy
Thank you!
We have been in Switzerland for the last couple of weeks. Wonderful trip until first I and then my husband got sick. So while our travel partners flew home today without us until hubby is cleared to fly, we do have some thankfuls:
First, a little background: I got sick first and had a nighttime episode of not being able to breathe. Once I could speak, we called for an ambulance and because I was walking and talking, they told me to get a taxis to the large ER in Lucerne.(??) When we got to the hotel in Zurich 3 days ago, my husband apparently got the same viral infection but affected him differently. We went to the large medical clinic in the Zurich airport for him to be seen.
The kindness of the people here has been wonderful:
*A neighbor (whom we’d never met) at the Airbnb in Lucerne who stood out with us at 10:00 pm to make sure we got the taxi to the ER.
* When we needed to extend our hotel stay here in Zurich, the hotel manager went above and beyond to accommodate us.
* The medical professionals we saw were so kind and very careful to make sure we understood what they were telling us, even though their English was very good.
*The ticket agent at the airport who helped us rebook our flight.
*The server we’d had at the little hotel restaurant inquired if we feel better every day.
* And our travel partners (friends for 45+ years) who did whatever we needed and never once complained about all the changes in our plans.
* We have had an interesting look at “behind the scenes” and met real life people we would have otherwise never experienced.
Of course, we just want to be home, but in the meantime, we are thankful for this wonderful place.
I'm so glad you're both doing okay, despite the hard situation. I went to Lucerne and Zurich earlier this year and they were beautiful places.
Thank you!
I am sorry the behind the scenes was necessary, but glad the overall experience was one of care and kindness! Being ill is no fun, and being ill in a foreign country is worse.
A few years ago I got pink eye in Slovenia. I was astounded, as an American, as to the effeciency and cost of a hospital visit. I couldn't do a smaller clinic because of no local insurance, so off I went to the ER. After a small wait in a very controlled waiting room, an English speaking doctor examined me and wrote not only a prescription for me, but one for my traveling partner in case she caught it from me! Total cost was 26 Euros. They apologized for the cost and had to get the POS up and running because nobody had charged anything in a while. Then the pharmacy tech called an uber for me and wished me well. I'm still gobsmacked over that experience.
I've heard that kind of thing from other Americans when they're had to use healthcare in Europe!
*they've
As tourists we had to pay 2000CHF up front for my ER visit, for which the person sincerely apologized. Good news is that they take out the cost of the visit and refund the rest. At the airport medical clinic, they physically held my credit card until we were done and then ran the cost through.
Addy,
It must have been so scary for you and your hubby! I'm so glad you were treated so well. The US health care system could learn so many things from the way things are handled in Europe's health care.
I had the misfortune of fainting dead away in England. We had just recently arrived at our hotel and were walking to dinner. Next thing I was aware of was waking with my face on the cement. Off to the ER as I am on blood thinners. CT scan ordered, not completed. Blood work ordered, results not completed. No mental status exam. No ice pack. Discharged. Felt as though I was in a satire. Thankfully I had someone with me so my memories are accurate. I suppose it’s like healthcare here. The hospital makes the difference. Positive concussion symptoms. Beautiful purple half of my face, lol.
On the other hand, a friend had a stroke in Italy and received excellent care and family support.
Addy, wow! Glad you have some terrific thankfuls out of this ordeal. Safe travels home!
Rooting for those antibodies!
So glad Lisey could visit. It's fun to see the young adult version of her and notice the physical family resemblance. I love picturing how she is out there in the world carrying pieces of the wisdom and love instilled in her from being raised by you, also doing great things as a human for herself and those around her. So that's my first thankful.
- For really gratifying moments of validation in my work yesterday.
- For muscle rub when my back and shoulder are sore.
- For fall and October!!!
- For the roadside stand that had neat pumpkins and squash for great prices.
How wonderful that Lisey was able to hug your parents and aunt/uncle as well as yourself! Better than just videocalls, if they can be achieved. I hope she had a good flight back.
Thankfuls:
The water, the water, that is still so wonderful;
Having a few spare days to take things easy;
Learning new music, this time round a medieval song;
The pleasure of a soft knitting yarn through your fingers;
Our old kitty cheerful and vocal. If she needs me (wants me to refill kibble) in the middle of the night, she will sit close to my head and start purring. So much better than scratching the bed, as past cats used to do, to get my attention.
The purrfect way to get your attention!
1. Grateful my cat came back this am after an evening adventure. He was feral when young, so once every few months is elusive at night which makes me distraught.
2. I am glad I have the financial means to pay for my son's root canal.
3. I am glad for the new IRS $1000 deduction for charitible contributions.
4. Grateful that I don't use much gas because it's crazy expensive.
6. Happy that the community garden keeps accepting my propogated plants. That way I can still play in the dirt and someone else gets the finished product.
It's very nice to see you with your family! And you look so happy!
Your daughter looks so much like you.
That I again got my upcoming call shifts covered by a kind co-worker who doesn't mind taking extra shifts!
I developed a horrendous headache yesterday and it went away after 1000 mg tylenol and a nap!
For cooler temperatures and rain here in north TX!
For a visit this weekend with our son and his gf. Like Li
sey's visit, it will be short but sweet!
So wonderful that Lisey could come for a visit. I know you were glad to see her!
Thankfuls:
* Our son has a medical procedure this morning and DH got up at 4:30 to take him to the surgery center. Hopeful that this procedure will address the issue that has been going for far too long for our son.
* I'm hosting a baby sprinkle (aka a baby shower for 2nd baby) for our daughter this weekend. I'm thankful that my sister is making the 4-hour drive to attend.
* I'm glad that I am off work tomorrow so I can get the house ready for guests and finish prep work for the sprinkle. Also thankful for all the offers of help from my friends and my daughter's friends.
* A good friend does flowers for weddings and such and he is making the flower arrangements for the sprinkle. I'm excited to see the beautiful arrangements he is making for the event. Also thankful he is making one of the arrangements as a gift to me and our daughter's MIL is paying for the other one.
* Tonight is my monthly dinner with friends. It is always wonderful to see these ladies that I have known for over 30 years.
It's wonderful to be surrounded by family and friends! That'd definitely something to be thankful for!
I am a registered dietitian and wanted to share that iron guidelines were recently updated; a ferritin of 23 is still considered deficient so don't stop supplementing. Unfortunately this was a long time coming as clinicians commonly dismissed low ferritin that should have been addressed. https://www.hematology.org/newsroom/press-releases/2026/ash-sets-new-standards-for-diagnosing-iron-deficiency
https://signup.nourish.com/providers/lisa-whitney?referralSource=Nourish+dietitian&referralName=Lisa+Whitney&utm_source=Nourish_dietitian&utm_term=Lisa_Whitney
I'm so thankful for this blog. I get so many frugal ideas and useful perspectives from Kristen and the Commentariat that I wouldn't get otherwise. Thank you all!
I so agree!
Today is my 39th year anniversary of continuous sobriety. On October 1, 1987, I walked into an AA meeting filled with people with whom I had little in common. I was young. I had had no legal issues. I was a double major attending college. I had a group of "normie" girlfriends who always bundled me off safely from college parties so I was saved from the dangerous and humiliating episodes so many alcoholic women have endured. And yet I was desperate. At 23, I had no desire to live. I had been released from a 72 hour hold in a pysch unit for suicide attempts.
The night after the meeting I had a spiritual experience. Call it a vision if spiritual is to religious for you. I knew that if I didn't stop drinking, I would be just like my mother by 40, a practicing alcoholic. I knew down in my soul that drinking would only continue to get worse, never better. Thankfully, there was a solution.
Gratitude is looking at my life in wonder:
a son who has never seen me drunk
a mother who got sober at 79
a teaching career of 35 years where everyday I showed up sober and useful.
a community of like-minded individuals trudging the "road to happy destiny."
What an amazing anniversary. Congratulations!
Oh good for you! My father was an alcoholic all the years I was growing up, but he got sober when he was in his fifties and became a person I had never known before. I am so grateful that he was able to do that.
It is so true. I felt my mother was behind a curtain for countless years. I missed her so much and she was right in front of me. One time she was dressed like a giant pumpkin ( yep) and drunk and fell down stairs. I ran down to get her and she looked at me and said, "Not you, you're the worst." I was a constant reminder that sobriety was possible. Today she is my greatest gift.
What a beautiful testimony of your sobriety! Happy, happy anniversary and virtual (((Hugs))).
Three cheers for your anniversary, Mary Ann!
Mary Ann,
That is awesome, how you turned your life around. Congratulations! You are an inspiration to us all.
I have seen people's lives ruined by alcohol, and I am encouraged at the new trend of avoiding alcohol, including wine. The whiskey distillers and liquor stores are all upset at declining sales but I think it is a trend for the better!
Congrats Mary Ann! I celebrated 37 years in June. Nice to see a fellow traveler here.
Congrats back to you. The late 80s were rough years to be a drunk 🙂
Mary Ann, your gratefuls are so great - and hopefully inspiring for those struggling with addiction.
Thank you for your willingness to be vulnerable and to share your story of hope. Congratulations on making those tough choices and living them out!
Congratulations! That is truly something to be proud of.
Congrats on your successful sobriety! I'm a teatotaler because I grew up around my mom's alcoholic bf. Alcoholism is like cancer, it touches almost everyone.
Well done, Mary Ann!!! And thank you for sharing your amazing story.
Incredible!
I'm thankful for my local hospital. I was admitted Monday with pelvic pain and I could barely walk. Tests show degenerative bone and there is a mass attached to it. I had a biopsy yesterday and I have to wait another 3 to 4 days for the results. I'm relying on my faith and staying positive. Yes the results could be bad or it could be nothing. In any case, I'm so thankful and full of gratitude for the NURSES, doctors, technicians and other hospital staff who have been wonderful! I cannot say enough about folks like Kristen!
I am so sorry you have to go through this. Praying for good results and relief of pain!
Yes, good professional care is priceless. I am so sorry, though, that you have to go through this and wish you the best.
Praying for you, Diane in NJ. I hope everything turns out OK.
I'm sorry to hear this and I hope everything is okay!
Diane, I'm adding my positive thoughts for a good outcome.
Waiting is SO HARD!. Sending you positive vibes for good results!
My supervisor asked me if someone else could have my Thanksgiving shift and I could not say yes fast enough! Now, am I going to cook? It remains to be seen. But also:
*thankful for rain today, hopefully no flooding
*thankful I didn't get called in last night, and I have two freedom weeks with no call!
*thankful for a free flu shot at work
And for lots of other small things, which end up being big things when I really think about them. (:
Today I am getting my flu shot, so while I don't exactly look forward to it, I'm thankful for vaccinations that keep us from getting sick.
I'm thankful that I learned that sitting upright for an hour after eating makes me feel so much better. Don't laugh, this is big!
I'm thankful that my hair is so easy to take care of since I got a shorter layered cut. I spent years trying to make my hair do what it would not do.
I'm thankful for the lovely fall weather, but also thankful that it is no colder than it is, because our building's boiler has not been turned on yet.
I'm thankful that I found a highly recommended place right here in town that will replace my auto carpeting. Previous research indicated that I would have to go to a distant suburb and have to wait there while the work was done. The local place is near a bus stop, so I can easily go home.
I am thankful that I am regaining my energy, however slowly, after Covid and all its aftershocks.
It was so nice for all of you that Lisey got to visit. What a treat.
I'm thankful to be home from our month-long camping vacation. We had a great time, but it's always good to be home.
I'm grateful that our house sitters took such good care of everything for us while we were away.
The garden produced a lot that was waiting for me when I got home. I harvested a bunch of things to eat now and made salsa and pickles, and froze some veggies to eat later.
We had a glitch with our battery on the way home and feared we might be facing a big repair bill, but my husband was able to figure out the problem, which was minor and very fixable. Big sigh of relief.
For good friends who welcomed us home.
That's wonderful that you got to settle back home and had a warm welcome!
Have you written about working on increasing your iron levels and ferritin? Might be some helpful discussion there-- Thank you! (I might have missed it before).
I'm so glad you and your family got to visit with Lisey! It looks like you all had a lot of fun.
This week, I am thankful for:
• An amazingly loving, patient, and understanding husband.
• The special bond our girls share; they are each other's best friends, giving us a built-in friendship right at home.
• Being able to walk and bike through a local park to enjoy the beautiful fall foliage.
• Our family's shared love of reading. I see all three girls curled up with a book every single day.
• Knowing that God thought of us even before we were born and has wonderful plans for our lives - Jeremiah 1:5
Adding my thankful to everyone else's that Lisey was able to make her quick trip, and that she got to see so many of you. Cheers!
And here's my HUGE thankful this week: I've just shaken hands with the owner of the junk cleanout company on the job at NDN1's. Since I do nothing unilaterally, I want to have CF do a walk-through as well before I sign the check--but it's essentially done. Mirabile dictu, for any Latinists out there!
That's really great news, A. Marie!! So happy for you-this is a big thing marked off that list!
Amazing!!! Yay!
Yay for seeing Lisey!
I'm grateful that it's my first week of part time, making today my first work day I don't have to work in my new schedule. The world feels like my oyster today! I'm thrilled.
Enjoy!!!
That is a very quick trip from so far away. How wonderful.
I'm grateful that my nephew and family are visiting. It's fun to have toddlers that you can hand back.
That my dog loves toddlers.
That the Thanksgiving and Xmas logistics rejiggering was easy and worked the first time.
For fall weather.
For upcoming travel. I'm going to Nepal and Bhutan, people!
The trip sounds so exciting!
Thank you, I'm really looking forward to it: two countries I've never been to! This will be only my third group tour; I'm used to solo or family travel so accommodating others is going to feel weird. The previous tours were a knitting tour of Scandinavia and a tour to Cuba. I spent most of the Cuba trip breaking off from the group as the only reason I went with a group is that was the only legal way to go.
First half of November, folks!
Please tell us all about it so we can “travel” with you!
Yes, please do. I've not traveled other than Canada, Mexico, and the USA.
Always wanted to, so now I travel through others.
Have a safe trip (vv) and a wonderful stay!
--Thanks to the remnants of a Pacific hurricane, Polo, our area is finally getting rain!!!! And cooler weather!!! This September was really more like August 2.0, with 100 degree temps and no rain whatsoever. But the forecast has highs in the upper 80s, a blessed relief, and it poured down rain for quite a while yesterday. So much so that we are in a flood watch for another 2 days, with more rain in the forecast. Which means the drought may be over and autumn is finally here!!! So I am super thankful for that!!!
--Having misplaced or lost my driver's license put me into a panic. But I went down yesterday to the driver's license bureau and was able to get a replacement right away. The process was easier than expected. They gave me a photocopy license and the real one will be in the mail so that I should receive it in about 2 weeks. Which will allow me to vote on Nov. 3. Very thankful for that!
--Looking for the driver's license, I found my 2 lost (and now de-activated) cell phones. Go figure!
--Mr. Snuggly Wuggly dog, who comes into my room and quietly sits on his bed while I watch TV. (And who is finally learning not to chomp bones in the middle of the night while I'm trying to sleep!)
--The new TV set. My smart TV has a lot of free viewing features, including old episodes of Dark Shadows, the 1960's Gothic soap opera. And on my last day off, I got to binge watch the BBC Classic Literature channel presentation of the Colin Firth version of Pride & Prejudice, followed by the 2008 rendition of Sense & Sensibility. (I thought of you, A. Marie!)
-- New opportunities to socialize. The new church I attend has fellowship lunches every Sunday following services, and they finish in plenty of time for me to go to work on time for my afternoon shift. They also have a twice-monthly Friday game night and I got to go to that. It was just two older men and myself (most folks were probably at high school football games) but I learned to play "chicken feet" dominoes and enjoyed being with others.
Lisa, yay for new socializing opportunities!
What a happy brief visit with Lisey! So glad the stars aligned for it all to happen.
Sending you positive Juju for your upcoming tests, you are going to enjoy the clinicals you've lined up.
Had a fantastic sunrise yoga session. Neighbor brought her 3 youngest ages 5, 3 & 1. The 3 and 5 yr olds took it so seriously. The baby tried to play along in her pack and play.
My caterer friend gave me a serving of gluten free fresh raviolis, will make a browned butter sage sauce. Can't wait for dinner! I gave her some white and orange baby boo pumpkins to use for decoration.
My friend who needed respite, extended her stay. The exhaustive worry has left her eyes and I truly believe her smile.
Aw, that is SO cool that Lisey was able to make the standby flight work (what a great work perk)! I'm happy for you. Sounds like a wonderful visit with your daughter.
I got multiple MMR vaccines one year (even though I had my shots as a kid and proof of them) because they didn't have them recorded in my adult records. They did a titer and showed I had no immunity to mumps. They did a series of two shots and still had nothing show up. They just put it in my record at that point that I had the shots.
Not sure what they would have done if I had to have it for a job or school. At some point they have to move forward.
So glad you got some time with your girl!
I wish her visit could have been longer!
I continue to be thankful for you and this blog, Kristen.
I hope I don't offend anyone, but I also continue to be thankful that the Lord provides for me, as things are really tight until I can start drawing Social Security next spring.
Thankful for the rain we've had (and more on the way) and also a drop in our temps from the high 90s into the 80s.
Thankful for the free New Yorker subscription that my friend gave me, which she got when she renewed her subscription. I really enjoy it, but I couldn't afford it myself.
Thankful for the Booktubers and youtubers that I have discovered in the last year or so-the ones I watch are all positive and informative and FREE.