Thankful Thursday | so much green!
This week, I am thankful:
for baby ferns
Right now there are so many ferns in the process of un-furling. I saw four different varieties on a single walk this week!
for my neighborhood
Things are starting to be quite green here, and twice this week when I've been outside, I've been struck by the beauty of the neighborhood.
It's an older neighborhood, so it's quite different than living in a modern housing development; here the houses all have decent-sized yards, there are no sidewalks, and there are lots of big old trees.
That's honestly my favorite kind of neighborhood!
that I don't live in a split-foyer anymore
I went for a stroll after dinner yesterday evening, and as I started out, I was thinking that it's a bit of a bummer not to live in a neighborhood with water access anymore.
But then a few minutes later I was walking down a street here with a bunch of split-foyers and I remembered how happy I am to not live in one of those anymore.
(It's basically my least favorite house design ever!)
Like I always say: nothing is all good or all bad. I don't have river access here, but I also don't have to live in a split foyer. 🙂
that it's light so much later now!
A post-dinner stroll is an actual possibility now, and that makes me happy.
for Lisey's tools
Our freezer handle was getting loose, and the screws required a small allen wrench. I am basically tool-less at the moment (I need to work on rectifying that!), but I remembered that Lisey's toolbox is here.
And she had a nice set of little wrenches. Yay!
for the cat
You know...she's a regular on the list.
for a roll-baking session with Sonia
She wanted to make my grandma's sweet rolls for a college class assignment, so she came over and we made a batch together.
for a day warm enough to work on my furniture
Yesterday I had some free time AND some lovely weather. So I made a little progress!
that I have my piano here
Last year, when I was working on moving into this house, I halfway considered not moving my piano, just to save some money.
But I am super duper glad I forked over the cash to have it moved here. Totally worth it!
I would be extremely sad if my piano was over at the other house, and I feel a little surprised I ever even considered that as an option. What was I thinking???
I am thankful that the follow up tests after my annual mammogram resulted in an "all clear" diagnosis. Everyone at the imaging center was wonderful ,the person that scheduled my appointments, the employee that checked me in, the mammogram and ultrasound technicians, and the procedures in place to provide quick feedback in this situation.
I am thankful that although our wonderful long time next door neighbors are moving their house will be purchased by a family already living in the neighborhood, a couple blocks away. The same thing happened last year when the house on the other side of us was sold. The neighbor across the street moved within the neighborhood about 2-1/2 years ago. It's a small neighborhood but valued by the people that live here.
I am thankful for the gift of Mouth Candy caramels I received as a thank you for helping a neighbor. They are delicious locally made caramels. The shipping box contained a sample of Cool Mint caramels and they were absolutely delicious. I have not opened the gift box yet but I have had the caramels before and they were very good.
I am thankful for spring weather. I know it is not everyone's favorite season but it is mine. The green, the light, the temperature. I appreciate it all.
I am thankful that when the seasons change I pull out clothes from the past. My life circumstances do not dictate that I dress a certain way so I don't have to think about what is in fashion.
@K D, I also had a follow up mammogram which was negative. I am also very thankful. It's been a scary week and half. Unfortunately I think the original mammogram tech did a poor job and it was decided the problem was only overlapping tissue. The first mammogram was the fastest I've ever had and she took no care in positioning me as they normally do.
@Jill A, the right technologist for the job makes all the difference! Unfortunately, they have to get very good at their job over time...
@gina, And sadly, most of them are too young to understand the anxiety the annual mammogram brings on for many women.
@K D, I hear you on the good mammogram results. I have a long family history of breast cancer, so every good year I get past my mother's age at diagnosis feels like a gift from the universe.
I also hear you on not feeling obliged to keep up with fashion--not that I ever had to during my working days, since I was a telecommuter. But as I was reminded when I dropped in at my old office during my NYC visit, I wouldn't have had to even if I'd worked in the office: Everyone there, from the CEO and the editor-in-chief on down, dresses as if every day were Casual Friday.
@K D, so happy for you & everyone who has responded with good mam results. I have not been so fortunate with DCIS diagnosed and being 2.5 weeks into a bilateral mastectomy ( my choice to do both sides and since there was LCIS on the other, the right decision). Mams can be very stressful and if you did not get a good tech, they need to be reported. Wish there were an easier way to diagnose breast cancer but I not longer have to worry about mams;-)
@Jennifer G, wishing you a speedy recovery!
@Jennifer G, I'm sending you healing thoughts. And if/when it's my turn, I too plan to go bilateral--partly because of the family history and partly because it would have been the most comfortable solution for my poor mother (who went around listing to port for 35 years after a unilateral procedure).
@A. Marie, I'm sorry, but I had to laugh at the description of your mother"listing to port."
@Jennifer G, I’m praying for you, Jennifer, that you will heal completely, that you have a strong support team and that you can remain hopeful. I’m a breast cancer survivor though with a different type than yours. I’m sorry you’re going through this. I hope your recovery is smooth.
@Jill A, I’m sorry you had a tech who was not compassionate nor competent. I’m so glad your follow up was negative though. I’m sure you’re relieved!
@K D, I’m very happy for you that your annual mammogram was all clear. I know that’s a relief!! It sounds like you have a wonderful medical team. I’m a breast cancer survivor and my medical team really puts me at ease ( I still get nervous but their compassion helps me feel hopeful).
@Jennifer G, I’m sorry for what you are enduring and will keep your healing in my thoughts for good health going forward.
@Jennifer G, So sorry to hear this! Adding mine to the other posters who are sending you healing thoughts.
@Jennifer G, I'm so sorry. I'm wishing you the best and hoping for a quick recovery.
This week I am thankful:
*for a day away on Monday.
*that we can afford a few more visits to the therapists for my face.
*for the warmer weather. I can be outside again without having to cover my face up!
*for our first asparagus-- 4 stalks harvested and in a stir-fry.
*that my son is doing so well in college.
*for slight improvements for my friend battling cancer. (Now, if she could just eat!)
*that our water softener is fixed.
*that my husband was able to fix a vehicle easily.
*that my friend gave us a spare chicken coop yesterday. We're going to move a broody hen into it once we get it set up. I really hope she can hatch some sweet peeps.
*that my family doesn't complain about my wonky-shaped bread. Yesterday's batch was a doozy!
*for all the pretty flowers.
*for a lovely Easter service, our wonderful organist, the abundance of children's voices in our church now.
*for my husband's thoughtful gesture. As a Dr. Who fan, he bought jelly babies to try and shared them with fellow fans at church. One appreciated it to tears.
*that I'm done with the big weather-induced clothing shift for my kids (mostly). You know, now that the kids are older, this is so much easier.
*for this blog and Kristen's pictures of ferns. I have never lived near ferns. Or at least not enough of them to notice regularly.
I just love the picture of the cat looking at the food.
I'm deeply thankful for each person who commented in yesterday's post to offer kind words of sympathy and encouragement to me on the passing of my husband last week. I'm treasuring every sweet word. Blessings to each of you.
This community is special and like no other.
@BJS, I'm so sorry for your loss.
@BJS, I'm so sorry to hear about your husband's passing. Peace be with you.
@BJS,
I'm so sorry sending love and wishing you peace
@BJS,
It was very late when I read Kristen's blog post yesterday, and I did not have the opportunity to express my condolences. I am so sorry about the loss of your husband. Sending you hugs.
@BJS, I’m sorry and as a widow, I really feel for you. Knowing that people care and understand really helped me, and still does.
That fern looks like a little like a seahorse! Such a friendly shape.
Plus, your window sill shows your thumbs are getting greener, I think?
This week I am thankful for
-my cousins, that are such good friends to me
-our Easter break and the opportunity it gave to spend time with siblings and friends a bit further away
-the sweet peas, that will soon be strong enough to be planted outside
-the little birds in our garden. I still feed them because they are nesting
-our bed. Having a good bed to sleep on is sooo wonderful
I am also thankful for an all clear on my follow up mammogram appointment. In the future I will have a 3D Mammogram instead of 2D. I'm thankful for the beautiful weather we've had this week. I'm also thankful for my cozy front porch and my daughter who moved my rocking chairs there from the shed.
My work bestie, who is also my shiny new supervisor, called me at work on Tuesday and told me to report to the new place on Wednesday! So the long drawn out goodbye at my old job did not happen and I am so thankful for that! I am able to decompress the rest of this week doing learning activities and that is such a blessing after the wringer I've been through.
I am very thankful I have my very empathic middle son home with me for a bit.
Also very thankful they have a Keurig at work with DarkMagic coffee - my fav.
So thankful the oaks have stopped with their pollen and I can get my backyard in shape.
Thankful for my soft warm bed at the end of each day. It feels like heaven to lay my head down and sleeeeepppp.
@gina,
I am also very thankful that the oak leaves have stopped dropping and pollen season is coming to an end. It is nice to once again breathe easily and have a clean yard.
@gina, I could hear your sigh of relief all the way over the interwebs! So happy for you.
@gina, congrats on finally getting to that new job location!
@gina, truly happy for you on the job front. A good work situation means so much because you spend the majority of your day there!
@Bee,
AMEN to that!
I am so thankful for the cooler and quite rainy weather. I so much dread the summer heat.
Meir Shalev, an Israeli author died a few days ago. I have read all his books and I called my best friend in Israel to share the news. She was about to call me the moment she heard about his death! I am so thankful that we are still connected and so very good friends despite the physical distance. We had a lovely chat.
Sure enough I am very thankful for my dog. Such a faithful, cuddly and funny companion.
This week I am thankful for...
- good sleep. For two consecutive nights, I didn't sleep very well. Now I'm even more grateful for the generally good sleep.
- my mom. I had a bad day yesterday, but after our phone call my heart was a little less heavy. I am 41, but it still feels good to have a mom you can call any time and who always has a listening ear.
- my garden. It's been cold and rainy, and I can't wait to start the gardening season. Despite the "bad" weather, my garden has already brought me so much joy this year: I love looking at the blooming trees, tulips and daffodils and watching the birds and insects.
When I saw one of your Instagram posts last week, I was struck by what an incredibly gifted pianist you are. It would be terrible if you didn’t have access to your piano. I am also glad you moved it.
This week I am thankful for the wind and the rain. It’s a reprieve from the brutal heat that hit Florida early this year. The ocean is so powerful and beautiful when it’s stormy.
I’m thankful for Calico Kitty and Rescue Pup. They fill my life with love and cuddles.
I am thankful that my younger, adult son checks in with me every Wednesday and Sunday no matter where he is in the world. It’s wonderful to hear the words, “I love ya, Mom.”
Wishing everyone peace and good health!!
@Bee, I managed to get over to Instagram and hear Kristen play (I don't have an IG account, but they let me in for free this time), and I too was blown away by how beautifully she plays. Kristen, can you tell us the name of the piece you played? I didn't recognize it, but it was lovely.
Thankful for our beautiful weather this week.
My boss was a great help at work getting me caught up from being off sick.
I am regaining some energy. I have been extremely fatigued the last week.
For my robotic vacuum. I could not live without it.
For the puzzle my grands got for me, 1000 piece Lego Head picture. It is so cute!
I’m glad you have your piano! I’m not nearly as proficient as you are, but it’s been a source of comfort and quiet as I process big stuff in life.
So much to be thankful for this week!
-there was no argument about who would keep the piano. So grateful.
-a teacher loved working with me enough that she asked me to apply to the job that would be in her classroom. It’s been 12 years since I was gainfully employed in my career and getting a request to apply for a more permanent job the second day of my temp job was empowering.
-a friend came to visit and I haven’t laughed like that in a long time. Or cried. I feel loved.
-modern medicine that helps me deal with allergies. I’m in a stretch where my inhaler is in my person at all times. It’s uncomfortable to be shaky from drugs, but I can breathe. I don’t take this for granted, especially after seeing my son almost die from respiratory stuff (not recent, but stuff like that sticks with you)
-my son told my daughter that I’m Wonder Woman. I was focused on hanging curtains so I don’t know the context, but how great is it to have kids who think the world of me?
-coffee. I’m tired. Coffee helps. My lungs feel tight. Caffeine helps. I’m cold. Coffee helps. I miss the smell of my childhood home. Coffee helps.
No argument over the piano here either! Luckily he doesn't play the piano, so it is unequivocally mine. 🙂
You ARE a superhero and I'm glad your kids can see that.
@Kaitlin,
Please tell one of your kids, (or all of them), to give you a big hug from me.
♥♥♥♥
@Kaitlin, Yay!!! Si se puede. Yes, we can.
@Kaitlin, Wonder Woman! How cool!
A confidence-builder exercise, such as before a difficult situation, is to (probably alone but it could be in public) stand up straight like she does, hands on hips, feet apart, chest out, for a few minutes. The posture is physically empowering.
This week I am thankful for:
1. Completely recovering from a terrible bout of food poisoning.
2. My wonderful brother who baked us sugar cookies for Easter. I haven't had any in a long, long time. His were perfection!
3. A quiet, but very pleasant Easter celebration.
4. The flowers my husband bought for the house for the holiday. The daffodils and tulips were so cheerful.
5. The sunshine on the days I had to go into the office. It helped boost my mood even though I was feeling so tired.
This week one thing I’m grateful for overrides everything else. My darling husband is pronounced well after a scary seven months of procedures. He is the light of our family,
strong and always busy, and to see him sidelined like that was torture for me and our sons, too.
@Erika JS, It sounds like you must also be the light of your family, to have seen him and the children through all of that. Take a bow! and a deep, deep breath.
@Erika JS, what a relief for you. I'm sorry that you and your family have had to go through this.
Erika, I am thrilled to pieces for you!
@Erika JS, I'm so glad for your DH, you, and your family.
Thank you so much. Your collective words brought on tears of joy. What a lovely community!
I'm glad that you moved the piano. I saw you play the piano on Instagram, and you are so talented!
I'm thankful that our daughter came to my office to present a lunch and learn session on using a foam roller for stretching. She's a physical therapist and it was so nice to see her share her knowledge with our staff. A bonus was that we got to have lunch together after the presentation.
I'm thankful that the weather has been warm and sunny this week. I just wish the weekend weather was going to be as nice.
I'm thankful that most of the bushes in our yard survived the harsh winter. Our largest azaleas are alive but have just a few blooms on them this year. Unfortunately, my gardenia did not survive.
I'm thankful that my work hours are flexible. I have worked a few longer days so I will get off early on Friday afternoon.
I'm thankful for more daylights hours in the evening giving me more time to play in the yard with our very energetic dog.
That cat is so cute.
1. I'm thankful that just two days ago, I noticed the little pot of daffodils that my daughter bought me for Mother's Day last year suddenly has green sprouts popping up. Many daffodils don't do well here in Florida, so I just left the pot out on the porch right through the unusually cold (for us) winter, to see if they would make it. It seems they did. The tag doesn't say what kind they are, unfortunately.
2. I'm grateful that I was able to take my own stitches out with the tool provided to me, following the Mohs procedure on my leg for a basal cell skin cancer. I didn't have to miss work, drive across town and wait at the doctor's office just to get stitches out. Plus, they were starting to pull uncomfortably, so I'm glad I didn't have to wait for an appointment to get them removed.
3. I'm thankful that, so far, my husband has felt more calm and peaceful this week. Often he is really agitated and unhappy. I rarely hear "Love ya, baby" anymore, but I have this week.
4. I'm grateful that an appointment in my home town at 5 meant I got to leave work in my work town early so I was home by 5:40. I'm never home that early on a weekday, and if felt great. I really startled my dogs, ha!
5. I'm thankful that seeing my teen granddaughter in a scoop-necked dress has made me realize how her 2-year-old neck-t0-waist scoliosis scar has faded. She's not self-conscious about it, but it's good to see, anyway and I'm thankful.
@JD, I'm so glad about your #3, and I can definitely relate to it.
Although my DH is now asleep most of the time and not too responsive even if he's awake, I had a nice experience with him yesterday: He was in his wheelchair in a hospital gown awaiting a shower, so I was able to give him a better backrub than I can when he's fully clothed. I also sang him a funny song we used to sing, Allan Sherman's "You Gotta Have Skin" (a parody of "You Gotta Have Heart" from the musical Damn Yankees). On some level, I believe, he responded to all of this--and for that, I'm truly thankful.
@A. Marie and KD,
The sweetness of both of your stories of the journey with dear husbands strikes me so poignantly today. I love it.
@A. Marie,
I believe your DH responded, too! How sweet for you both.
@A. Marie,
I, too, believe your DH responded to you. I just listened to a podcast where they were talking about touch....I really feel he knew it was you.
--For the attic fans we installed this week; they're already making a significant difference in how the house feels!
--For the happy surprise finding of an HVAC vent we didn't even know was there; when we moved in we had stashed a bunch of toy totes against the fireplace (which we didn't plan on using) and yesterday my husband decluttered a lot of that, and we found there is a vent built into the brick in front of the fireplace...that was giving out cool air when we turned on the whole house AC! All this time we thought we had only two vents in this room, turns out we had three. We were unknowingly blocking one!
--For general good health in the family. I don't take this for granted anymore.
--For the flowering plum and pear trees; they are so pretty even if they don't last very long.
Super grateful that our trip to Colorado included lots of laughing. If you are familiar with teen boys, you'll know they aren't much for giggling, so it was a blessing & so much fun. They would have definitely let me know, if not. 😉
I'm almost ready for our trip to Dubai (Saturday) & am feeling so grateful that I will finally get to meet my husband's sister, niece, etc, after being married for almost 20 years.
Grateful that we had a meal delivery service, and I could press the easy button on meals this week.
That my husband & I still make time for each other. It's hard to carve out that time together, with the season of life we're in right now, but it's so worth it.
My mom called yesterday, and she was a bit down. I had enough miles to fly her to visit us on Memorial Day weekend, and she's thrilled. Grateful I could cheer her up.
Grateful for the amazingly spring-like weather we are having this week. This is NOT typical of Michigan in May, but I'll take it, happily. Thankful for outdoor time spent, as well. As always, thankful that I live in an area with multiple places to hike/walk.
Thankful that my son has secured an apartment for his summer internship. We have multiple moving pieces to get him set up, but knowing where he will be allows us to move forward. Grateful that he will be near my in-laws, both for the emotional support that they will provide as well as the practical provision of items (a bed ....).
Thankful that my daughter survived the SAT testing yesterday. Whew. Her stress level was crazy high (despite multiple reassurances that she will be FINE no matter the test results).
This weekend my son has an out of town tournament that we are turning into a family trip. My parents are riding down with us and my sister and niece are driving up to meet us. The tournament is perfectly in the middle of our homes and we haven’t seen each other for far too long!
We spent Easter with my grandparents! My grandma is in her 80s and my grandpa is in his 90s. I brought over lasagna and we spent the afternoon eating and chatting.
My grandpa picked up a wine “just for us” for Easter. He’s a very old-school executive type of guy (and a chemist) and doesn’t exude warmth (hugging him is like hugging a tree, if he hugs you at all) but every once in a while, he does something that will melt your heart. I mentioned years ago that I liked a specific type of wine. He went out of his way to pick up a bottle and made sure it was on the table for Easter.
Warm weather has finally found us! Yesterday was in the 80s and today is looking just as beautiful. There is still snow in the front yard but I’m sure that will be gone by the end of the day.
Si se puede! Yes, we can!
It was only late yesterday, after I had read everyone’s “struggle vs. challenge” stories (especially Rose’s, which should be made into a movie), that I remembered how thankful I was just to survive 2007, which I now recount solely for the purpose of letting Kaitlin and BJS and Jody S and everyone know you CAN get through anything, even when it seems impossible.
It started in February that year when I managed to break one ankle and sprain the other, requiring surgery and a long stint in a wheelchair, leading to pulmonary embolisms/blood clots in my lungs and a return trip to the ER, ICU and cardiac care, and then weeks and weeks of physical therapy with Nurse Ratched as my physical therapist. (“Is this as good as you want to get?!” Sniff. “No.” “Then start walking backwards on that treadmill. Faster! Faster!”)
Meanwhile, back at the ranch (as all the old westerns said by way of segueing into the next scene), my mother was descending into dementia at home, alone, while my father was in and out of nursing homes, having pretty much lost his sight, his hearing, and his mobility (spinal stenosis). My mother wouldn’t let any health care workers in the house. Adult Protective Services “investigated” at my request and decided everything was hunky dory. Then my mother landed in a nursing home with out of control diabetes, and would throw pitchers of ice water at me every time I went to see her. I spent an inordinate amount of time sitting in my car in the parking lot, sobbing. Just sobbing.
So I had to find an assisted living arrangement for them; convince my mother (who had managed to fall in their garage and break her pelvis) that it was in her best interests to get some help with my father; move their possessions/clothes/furniture; sell their car, put the house on the market, get it sold, and dispose of the remainder of the furniture.
Through all of this I did my best to continue working full time.
My mother lasted another year or so; the last words she said to me was the “Hail Mary” (“Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen”). The nuns at her high school would have been pleased. My father hung on for a couple of years after that, not in good shape but at least safe – which was all that could be hoped for.
So I’m thankful I lived to tell about it on Thankful Thursday, lo these many years later!
Si se puede. Yes, we can.
@JDinNM, UGH. When my dad was in the hospital for a minor heart operation (he never left, dying three months later), I stayed and cared for my mother (paralyzed) on my own. It was so. bad. Just so awful. I am a little ashamed of how I acted, yelling at my poor mother, but it was so hard. She even complained that I emptied her bedpans "wrong" in the middle of the night. Daddy emptied them into the bathroom sink and I emptied them into the toilet. SHOCK HORROR! I finally said, "We HAVE TO get paid help in here." Nope. Daddy didn't want strangers in the house. "DADDY'S NOT HERE. I am the adult now and you are the child. I decide."
Then we got paid help and Mom loooooved it. Sigh. Oh and before all this, I got an elder lawyer to try to sort out their finances longterm, but no! They didn't need help! Thanks! They ignored every single one of the lawyer's recommendations. But what can you do? They are/were competent adults. I felt like a little therapeutic banging my head on the wall now and then.
@JDinNM, wow. That’s a year! Thankful for those, like you, who have gone before me doing hard things.
¡Si, se puede!
@JDinNM, You know, it really isn't THAT bad for me. I can blink. My smile is improving. I just have to keep working. But stories of others' strength and perseverance help me. Thank you.
@Jody S., It's not a contest!
@Rose, It's amazing what passes for competency in the eldercare community. They must see such terrible things that if you can blink once for yes and twice for no you're good to go off on your own.
@Rose, I am sending you a virtual hug. I looked after my mom during her long decline in dementia and she was so cantankerous that I once had to stop myself from driving the car to a telephone pole. Not to hurt anyone, but because she would not stop the horrible things she kept talking about. It was not my best day.
I used to leave the elder lawyer's office and cry in the car because it was just all so danged hard. I do have a brother, who was worse than useless during those years because I had to beg for his help and then be disappointed.
@Ruby, Thanks, sweetie. The thing is--both my parents were sharp as tacks. No dementia at all. My dad is gone, but my mother is just as quick as ever. They were just stubborn know it alls, and wouldn't take advice about anything. Mom is paying the price, though: instead of buying long term care insurance which might have kept her in assisted living, which she LOVED until she could no longer afford it, she's now in a Medicaid-paid nursing home she doesn't like.
@Rose, isn't it hard to not say "I TOLD YOU SO!"? I don't know how to get our parents to listen to us, and then when they don't, we both pay the price. Sigh.
@JDinNM, Yes we can, but aging and caregiving suck! 😉
@Bobi, didn't say it was easy! Far from it, for both ends of the age spectrum. Hard to ask for and receive help. Hard to offer and give it when the recipients are resisting. Just hard hard hard...
@Rose,
My mother in law, who I adored, HAD long term care insurance that she had paid $$$ for over the years. When she finally needed it - she had dementia from multiple tiny strokes- it was discovered that the type of long term care insurance she had covered only a certain dollar amount per day, based on antiquated cost estimates for long term care. Fortunately, my (useless) sister in law has a disability, so most of her assets were able to be put into a trust, and MIL qualified for Medicaid. (I really don't know all the details). We kept her at home as long as we could, with a combo of family help and paid help, before she went into a nursing home, but I will never, ever forgive the doctors who said she "was fine to go home with 24/7 supervision" from the hospital, instead of sending her to a nursing home. My marriage barely survived the stress.
@Liz B., Yeah, where do they think 24 hour a day supervision is gonna come from? And from whom? Doctors don't think about a lot of stuff, like who is supposed to be able to chauffeur people around to endless appointments, or sit all day in the waiting rooms while tests and procedures and outpatient surgeries are conducted. It takes a village, and few people have an entire village to help. Excuse the rant .... Grr.
@JDinNM, Yep, that's what I meant. Been there, done that. Caregiving is the hardest thing I've ever done. My experience mirrors yours, but thankfully I didn't have to face it after physical problems like you did, but the emotional toll was terrible. I, too, am thankful to have survived and I have boundless empathy for anyone facing it.
@Liz B., Sadly your story is all too common.
@JDinNM, I agree with you. Doctors are not thinking of what's outside their facility. If a patient is too well to stay there, then home must be fine! Don't forget keeping track of the appointments and the paper work. We need more villages, obviously.
@JDinNM,
Exactly. I'm right there with you. Grrrr.
And to clarify - my sister in law wasn't/isn't useless because of her disability.....she and her husband ran away "on vacation" and refused to come and help. She and my brother in law were/are retired, while DH and I, plus other family members, were working full time and taking care of our children while trying to take care of my MIL. Yeah, I'm not forgiving that any time soon, either.
@Kristina, @Bobi,
It's so very true. All of it.
@Kristina, I live in an actual Village! And it has set up a volunteer "Village in a Village" to help with these things -- transportation, home visits, meals, etc. But when the whole Village is trying to "age in place", I wonder what can ever be enough ... and for how long.
I need to my our piano out of our storage space. It's really my daughter's, but we all love to play it. She is the best player, too.
Thankful for smidges of green here and there. Spring seems to be taking its time here.
Thankful for a funny picture of me scaring off the inevitable deer trying to eat the feral cats' food my son took. He captioned it, "Mom always finds something to yell at." Wait HEY....! heh.
Thankful to have made a good dinner that got the ultimate accolade last night, "Can you make this more often?"
Thankful for a wonderful Easter celebration with the fam and looking forward to doing it all again for Mother's Day in a month. My mom was so happy to see my brother and his son, who can be so hard to contact. Which is a little odd, since he looks like our side of the family (blonde or red hair, blue eyes) rather than his sisters, who have dark hair and eyes like their Italian mother.
Grateful for everything I have. Happy that the spa treatment on Saturday has basically made for a pain free week this week. So thankful for my hilarious, smart children. Bemused about someone in the dog park referring to our yellow coonhound, in full gallop, as "magnificent." Uh....OK? I will take it!
Love to everyone here who's hurting. I wish I could be the sin eater and take it all away.
@Rose, so glad you had such a lovely Easter/family/spa weekend.
Do you use plain/all purpose flour for the rolls or white bread flour?
Thankful
1. I have somewhere safe and warm to live (house buying giving me major anxiety so trying to be grateful for what I have)
2. I have a lovely partner who supports me
3. I have a flexible and caring employer
4. Sunshine today
5. Spring flowers in the garden
Just all-purpose! I don't want these type of rolls to be super chewy; bread flour is better for things like pizza, in my opinion.
@Kristen, got such a kick out of the picture of your notebook with the handwritten recipe. I have one myself, devoted to Grandma S's cookies. Especially her Christmas cookies ...
Yes! I love my grandma's handwriting. So precious to me.
1. Thankful for a well stocked freezer and pantry. It is nice to not have to run to the grocery when I get back from a trip and lean on the things that we have in the kitchen for some easy meals.
2. The love my sweet pups poured on me and my son when we returned from being a few days away. Goodness they were so happy to see us and snuggle and play. So very grateful for them both.
3. Planting season has definitely begun and I am SO happy to be digging in the dirt planting flowers and veggies!!! It is also lovely to look out my windows and see lovely green things growing and emerging after the long winter.
4. For a strong healthy body that I am feeling better in day by day. Even though I want to be at my goal, I am trying to focus on consistency and the fact that I can physically do more now than I could when I began in November and that is a win.
5. For time with my son away from everything just to watch and enjoy and spoil him. So very blessed to have that sweet boy call me Mama.
Hi Kristen. Perhaps when you were considering not moving your piano last year you were thinking the move was a struggle, not a challenge <3
Thankful Thursday:
*For a fun Easter holiday with my larger family and the ability to host a meal for 15 people. Dinner for 9 people the night before was a new recipe that everyone loved, thankfully.
*For the relationship that my 3 kids have, ages 23, 21, and 15. They appreciate their friendship and (usually) tolerate their differences.
*For a few days at my parents’ house. My dad turns 89 this month and time with him is precious. My mom, a few years younger, is having some memory issues. It’s interesting to see how they help one another.
*For a week off from work/school - it’s spring break week here in my part of NY.
*For a friend at work - for one thing, we have worked closer together this year and have gotten to know each other better. For another thing, she recently gifted me a kitchenaid mixer! It’s fun to use and I am making more breads. Kristen, I will try this cinnamon roll recipe next. My family already loves your other one!
Everytime I see photo'd of your girls hair, I remember how awesomely individual each of their sense of style is. Also, props to you as a mom for fostering that and supporting the blue/pink/short phases. I am in my 30's and I feel like I am just really nailing down my style, so it's awesome to watch these young ladies.
This week I am thankful for:
1. A little break from the rain/snow. I love winter and Lord knows we needed the water here in CA, but I have a lot of wood-based projects to start and would appreciate some dry.
2. And on that same note, my flooring is going to be installed on Tuesday!! I have had 36 boxes of floor in my guest bedroom since Jan and it will finally be started on Tuesday.
3. ANDandand......My office door was finally delivered. My upstairs office door had to be removed due to rot and repaired, so we have had a tarp as a wall/door for almost 3 months (though props to my engineer husband for finagling a tarp to survive all that rain).
4. The superbloom. As I drove home yesterday, the entire desert is a just a sea of yellow flowers and I know it is only going to get prettier.
5. Sparkly grapefruit juice. My local grocery outlet had boxes of San Pellegrino juice on deep discount so I bought them all. Put it in a wine glass and now I have a *fancy* drink....
"So much green"-- Such a wonderful time of year!
I have been following the U.S. Drought Monitor online for a few years and am so very happy that much of the country is no longer in the painful burnt orange drought status, even though I understand the water isn't in all the convenient places out west. It is almost frightening to use that tool to compare this week to last summer. Here's hoping the middle of the U.S./NE, KS, OK, TX, gets their water soon.
I am thankful I have my sister to laugh with. And my son, and my husband. I am sure that someday when one of us is gone, the remaining spouse will most miss the little jokes and obscure references to past events and songs that no one else on earth would understand, even if they could be explained. I send hope for peace to the many kinds of widows who comment here.
I was thinking yesterday how thankful I am that our elementary students get to do P.E. now. When we first came here, they didn't have a P.E. class, but now the high school athletic director (all the students of our tiny school are on one campus) does it for an hour for each class two days a week. Not only do they get to get more exercise during the school day, but they get exposed to different skills and sports. So far this year they've done tumbling, jump rope, basketball, and now track. I see kids all the time picking up jump ropes at recess, or playing basketball during breaks, or even turning cartwheels randomly. Kids definitely need exercise, but giving them the skills to DO the exercise so it's fun for them is really important.
Anyway. I was thinking that while I was standing out in the sun yesterday for both P.E. classes at the track. So even though I got a sunburn, it was worth it. Definitely need to start bringing a hat, though. 🙂
@kristin @ going country, If possible, make sure the kids who are more bookish than athletic have their needs understood too? I come from a family of athletes, so the fact that I am completely uncoordinated, still am, still trip and bang my arms on things all the time, and so on, all hallmarks of autism because I can't sense my body in space correctly, was a source of hilarity to.....pretty much everyone growing up. Gym teachers especially.
Just the idea of tumbling aka gymnastics makes me want to throw up. I can't believe children are still expected to do that.
@Rose, In parochial school the nuns would literally yell at us if we came in from recess all hot and flushed and sweaty. Not a good introduction to the need for physical fitness.
@Rose, We expect the naturally energetic kids to master academics and be more "bookish," and I think the same is reasonable to expect from kids who are less likely to want to be physical. They're unlikely to want to do these things, but it's really not good for them to not move at all. I have been kind of shocked at the level of unfitness in kids now, even here, in a place where the kids don't *look* out of shape. A lot of them can't touch their toes, play tag at recess without having to sit down (even though they want to play!), or otherwise move in ways that should be natural for children. It's concerning to me, frankly, and we've seen more than one kid who has come to us from other places become much healthier since starting here.
@Rose, PE was torture. I learned as an adult that part of my problem was (and is) a lack of depth perception. But oh my, the humiliation of being the last picked for teams ("You take her! I had to have her last time!"), the inability to physically keep up, running as fast as I could and yards behind, the inability to catch or throw. . . I now simply say, "I don't do sportsball." But I always rode my bike, went through a phase of jogging, and have walked faithfully for exercise for decades, in addition to as much stretching as I can muster.
So, thank you for being someone out there who understands the horribleness of sports!
@Central Calif. Artist, Thinking of my daughter's fifth grade teacher, who apologized to me for keeping her inside during recess so often because she hadn't done her homework. I said, "She doesn't do her homework precisely because you will keep her indoors during recess. No one will play with her during recess and she's embarrassed."
Teacher's mouth dropped open. It had never occurred to her that some children didn't love recess.
Sensitivity? NO!
Ugh.
Simple things.
-the rain
-my loving cat, Lucy Lu
-flowers in bloom everywhere
-seeing an old post of my parents with their best friends. They've all been gone a long time.
-a rotating picture frame from my family and all the photos. Always warms my heart
I'm happy to hear so many of you are getting your mammograms.
I have always gotten mine right on time. In August, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and have been in treatment. I'm having a double mastectomy on May 10.
I want to shout on the rooftop telling women to please get theirs.
@Kathy Mayin, wishing you a good recovery from surgery and although I know it’s an individual decision I believe you’ve made the best and safest choice. A good oncologist is also, hard as it may be to believe, not a given! Your treatment plan makes all the difference in the world! Ask for what you need and always always trust your instincts when it comes to your level of care!
@Kathy Mayin, I will remember to pray for you as your going through your cancer journey.
I heard/saw you playing “The Piano” piece on Instagram. The song is gorgeous but your masterful playing of it was absolutely beautiful! It made me cry( in a good way)!
I’m thankful for Spring temps and flowering trees and budding bushes.
I’m grateful for seemingly endless options for good reading( just finished an historic novel by Maria Duenas, The Time in Between).
I have ongoing thankfulness for strong relationships with family and friends; my husband’s new job going very well; joy of dancing with my husband; visits with grandson; good medical checkups; and of course, our pup, Wally.
This week I'm thankful:
- that I got sick when I did. It was the most debilitating sickness I've had for a long as I can remember (or at least in my life as a parent), but it wasn't long and I was well in time to be able to go to a gardening program at our library that I had been really looking forward to attending. The author taught me a lot and I truly had a blast! So I'm really thankful that I didn't have to miss it or miss working a catering event tonight. The timing was perfect.
- that I've grown to love gardening. Early in our marriage it was something my husband wanted to do so I went along with it, but I've really grown to love it!
- for my sweet neighbor who brought me flowers when I was sick.
- that my 4yo was so sweet trying to take care of me during the day and for my husband filling in for meals and school drop-off/pick-up and anything else that involved moving off the couch.
- for a week of crazy amazing weather! 70's and sunshine? In Michigan? In April? Yes, please!
I'm thankful for the dance class at my gym.
I generally don't love exercise so when I find an activity that I enjoy, that's rare. I found that in the dance class at the gym. I haven't been to the gym since the start of the pandemic (I work at a school and they've begged us to be covid careful) but I went back yesterday. I started getting all teary-eyed at the end of the class. It's been such a LONG 3 years and I was feeling overwhelmed with gratitude.
Kristen, do you play by ear? Or was that piece something you memorized? Or did you compose it? Wow, you are good!!
Thankfuls:
• Finally getting an electric gate on our driveway—no more dragging the chain across in the dark and the rain.
• Found homes for 4 kittens from a feral mamacat (for a friend in another town—strays don't make it around here but she asked me because she knows I may possibly have a slight Cat Disorder)
• The green and wildflowers continue
• My three cats have lasted for 4 and 5 years now, a rare deal with all our voracious wildlife
• This week marks 15 years of blogging for me: http://www.cabinart.net/blog/ (Kristen, delete this if it is inappropriate for me to put the link on your blog, and please forgive me if it is too forward!)
I can do some playing by ear, but for anything complicated, I use sheet music. But happily, it's not too hard for me memorize something once I've seen it in sheet music format. I am terrible at remember how to play stuff I learn by ear, though!
The music on Instagram was from an old movie called The Piano. 🙂
And thank you!
Love Sonia's hairdo! She is so pretty. I love her love of "vintage" style.
I'm thankful that my genetic tests came back as "All clear." We got genetic tests done to try and figure out why my wife has had so many miscarriages. So that's at least ruled out.
For having time to play video games again. I used to really enjoy it but haven't been able to do much in the last few years.
For the warm weather and line drying clothes. Line dried clothes are so much nicer.
For a functioning bathtub again and some electrical work we paid to have done. It cost enough but I'm happy that we have things working as they should.
@Battra92, my daughter had two miscarriages. They were devastated. She advocated to her GP to see Endocrinology. Which did testing believed they had found the medical reason for the miscarriages and referred her to Reproductive Endocrinology. I am so sorry for your losses. I so hope modern medicine may give you your heart’s desire.
Know other’s think of you and your family.
I'm thankful for...
-my 5 yr old grandson. He says such funny things, makes me laugh, is so much fun to play with & we get to spend a lot of time together.
-that our frugality in the younger years are paying off for us now
-that I've been able to walk in the woods every single day, sometimes more than once.
-for my little Morkie, Maggie.
Thank you Walmart for giving me a good giggle in your 1/2 price aisle:
Trollie sour brite bunny poop
@Tiana, Hah!
I am thankful for the small green leaves growing on our sycamore tree.
I am thankful for the joy of sharing long hoped for good news.
I am thankful that my taste for coffee is returning.
I am thankful that my mechanic noticed wear on a belt and is replacing it before we had a big problem.
I am thankful that my hours were cut to 80% of full time. That flexibility will come in handy when our baby arrives mid-October.
@Rebekah in SoCal...congratulations! What wonderful news!
@kristin @ going country, My point wasn't that kids don't need to move; it's that they should be given a choice about how they move. If a child would rather run laps around a track than "tumble" (Sideshow Bob shudder) that should be quite all right. We make all kinds of accommodations for less intelligent/slow/LD kids, but somehow they're all supposed to be physically fit and turn cartwheels and love to play tag because that's how kids naturally are!
No. Not at all. I can't turn a cartwheel, I can't do a forward roll, I can't walk on a balance beam without falling off. I've never, not once in my entire life, been able to touch my toes. (Tall, tight hamstrings.) Not once. I cannot say it's held me back in life. I used to be able to run and bike and walk for miles before I became chronically ill but things involving proprioception, like gymnastics, have always been beyond me. I'm sure that's true of many children. Why can't we have diversity when it comes to gym, too?
Thankful for:
1. Another week without having to use my wheelchair. I cannot remember the last time I had such a run of feeling strong.
2. The pound hound, who is such a good boy. I would like to have a dark alley meet-up with the owner who beat and starved him. (Okay, my 30 year old self would like to have the meet-up. These days the best I could do would be to ram him with my 420 pound wheelchair set at the top speed.)
3. That our garbage disposal needed only a new hose instead of an entire replacement. I don't even use it that much because we compost even in the depths of winter, but it was starting to stink so fixing it was good.
4. For my treadmill that saved possibly saved my life. Not because I was using it, but because I fell and was able to catch myself on it before I hit the ground and bashed my head in. I will now stop complaining that it is ugly and should not be in the study.
5. For the husband, always the husband. We were at a funeral this weekend and as I listened to him singing one of the hymns, I was filled with a burst of gratitude that I get to hear that voice every single day. (Also glad that his white ringlets have not thinned out with age!)
6. For a good laugh. A local Santa Claus house had an Easter children's program, with cookie decorating and a variety of other activities. Santa Claus was there, with bunny ears on and when he saw my white hair and bearded husband, he yelled out, "Why, there is my brother!" For about the next 10 minutes young kids kept coming up to my husband, asking what Santa was like when he was a little boy. These kids now know that young Santa loved Brussels sprouts...
@Lindsey, Oh my gosh, your number 6: brussel sprouts, I'm so laughing!
@Lindsey, #6 so cool and funny!
Kristen, my kitties would have been in the box with that burger. 😀
Today I am thankful for my awesome family doc, who did a through work-up yesterday on my wretched arthritis and gave me a referral to a rheumatologist. There's a lot of stuff wrong going on, and I nearly wept in relief after years of being blown off by sports orthopedists. Always thankful for my sweet family, the tribe of rescued critters, today's lovely soft rain, and our quiet old neighborhood.
Oh, I am so glad you are gonna get some help. Yay!
@Ruby, what Kristen said about your getting real help for the arthritis. And since I know your quiet old neighborhood (remember our earlier exchange on the subject?), I rejoice with you in the lovely soft rain there.
So very thankful that cardiologist says my next appt is in one year! (I’m 18 months past my heart valve replacement).
Thankful no house foundation issues, just the issues that come with clay soil.
Thankful roof damage from 2 recent storms with high winds necessitates only a small repair. My emergency fund not taking too bad of a hit.
A good friend “twisted my arm” to give grandson music lessons. I really debated about restarting this “side” career. Thankful I can open the piano playing world to this 9yr old who is really taking to it. I did say no to 2 others who wanted lessons as I just didn’t want to expand this side career. I was thankful to find them a very nice used piano for $150 from a lady who just wanted it gone!!
We just got back from seeing the grandparents for a week. Grateful we have such wonderful families, and also very grateful to be sleeping in our own (king-size, sufficiently-blanketed) bed again!
Tonight is the end of year celebration for my kids’ homeschool co-op. I am starting a job teaching full-time in the fall, so the kids will be coming with me (and the oldest is starting college!). After 10 years I’m done being a homeschool mom. I’m super thankful I had the opportunity to homeschool and also so grateful that I now have the opportunity to teach in a different setting, doing something I really love (teaching humanities at a small classical Christian school). And I’m so so thankful for the homeschool co-op we’ve been part of for four years. It’s been such a blessing to my kids and to me. The day we meet has been my favorite day of the week. My kids have been so loved there that I don’t think they’ve ever wished they could stay home.
Thankful that it’s warmer, and also that it’s soon going to cool down to normal April weather.
I love Lisey's vibrant coloured hair! My young self would have loved to do that, but it just wasn't the thing to do back in the day. I also love Sonia's short hair, I am a short hair person and some of my favourite people have/ or had short hair, think (Canadian) models Linda Evangelista, and 2 current models Rose and Jane.
I finally called a Physiotherapist to look at my lower back, that I hurt last July, yes, I've been procrastinating for no good reason. Anyway, I am thankful that the process can finally get started, I have my initial appointment next Wednesday.
Another thankful (though definitely not frugal): I am bringing in some help to do some landscaping (i.e. pulling the vines off my house, sodding my weedy lawn), it is the sons of my SIL's friend, they have a fairly new Landscaping business and I am happy to support them, they do beautiful work. My (stubborn) HB finally conceded that he is no longer able to do certain things in the garden (he will be 70 this year), and so it is better to hire these things out. Every time my HB climbs up a ladder, think 2-storey house, I have to leave the premises as my anxiety cannot take it.
The usual thankfuls: senior and junior cats, though senior cat keeps me busy 24/7! Also the husband (as @Lindsey always says), and of course the BFF. And today it is 28C and sunny and breezy, thinking this may be the entrance of Spring.
I'm grateful for the empathy and kindness within this community. My eyes well with tears as readers share their difficult experiences and others respond with understanding, love and support. It's comforting to know that when my time comes to share heavy news about myself or my loved ones that I will be supported here, even though I don't know any of you in person. We are in this together.
@MB in MN, I think of this as The House That Kristen Built. The place that this morning BJS called a special community "like no other."
Aww, I love that!
Yes. So many lovely, kind people here!
@Kristen, I wonder why? Could it be ... you?!
<3 Aww. Thank you.
Reading everyone's comments about illnesses and parents and oh, my goodness, I am feeling it. Especially the frustrations and pain that comes with caring for aging parents. I did it for two of my parents, who could not have been more different (and hadn't been together for over 40 years). The one I mourn often...I wish I could have my mom back to ask her advice and to just tell her I love her again. My dad, well, what I feel is mostly relief....
Anyway, moving ahead to feeling thankful....
- that it's been cool this week. I'm sorry for all of you who are longing for the warmth. It's already summer in Florida and weather in the 60s and 70s feels lovely. Just lovely.
- that I have most of my days back to myself instead of working on another estate task. Phew.
- as Kristen said, that it's lighter longer in the evenings. LOVE IT.
- for a fun Starbucks outing with my husband last night. We sat outside in the cool weather and enjoyed BOGO frapuccinos. My strawberry creme was especially tasty.
- for healing in my foot and ankle. My PT did something yesterday that hurt like crazy, but today I feel like a new woman. Yeah!
@Brooke, I was never a fan of the expression "no pain no gain", but when it comes to PT it's often true.
1.I’m also grateful for the light evenings, even when it’s raining here in the PNW there’s more evening to enjoy.
2.For learning to knit when I was a child, and for the YouTube contributors who make great videos so I can continue to learn new techniques. My current project is as Aran cardigan which has a new to me, and much better, cast on than the one I’ve been using for the last 60 years!
3. For Trader Joe’s where I was able to buy just the right sized veg portions for a solo cook.
4. For my local Women’s group for introducing a fortnightly late afternoon walk which works with my schedule.
5. For the pharmaceuticals that keep me going, older age is easier with drugs to take care of my various “throngs are wearing out” niggles!
@Mindo, I initially read number 5 as "thongs are wearing out." Before I reread it, my first thought was, "She is very courageous to still be wearing thongs in her older years."
@Lindsey, gol'dang it, you just made me spit chardonnay all over my laptop!
Our extended family has had a couple of dark months...my brother in law passed away suddenly just after Christmas from an undiagnosed heart condition, and another brother in law is fighting cancer. So...this is a timely question! Yesterday I listed some things that I am thankful for/see "hope" in. Here is part of that list...SPRING! I love seeing new growth, color, feeling warmer temps, hearing outside noises though screen windows and I love the longer hours of daylight! I am thankful that I have the space to get my hands in the dirt and grow things. I am thankful for those around my sister and her family who have blessed her with kindness. I am thankful that the sun always comes up and we get a new day. And so much more!
I'm so sorry to hear of the troubles in your extended family. And I'm glad there are also mercies surrounding you guys.
@Kristen, thank you!
Your posts are encouraging!
Thankful...
- that my 2.5 yr old still willingly naps every afternoon. I know those days are numbered!
- for shade. This afternoon got quite hot (85F) and we were remembering how our old house didn't have any shade in the yard. We are thankful for all the trees near our current house.
- that my kids like and are doing well in school
- that I don't struggle with (excessive) worry or anxiety as I know many are prone to
- coffee, sunshine, our local library, and good friends
I think a home is not a home without a piano. When I went through my divorce, I paid through the nose to have my piano moved from my house to my apartment. And when I remarried, I again paid through the nose to have it moved too our house. SO WORTH IT.
What a lovely exercise.
I'm thankful for
1) clean sheets tonight
2) repaired washing machine that now works!
3) loving husband who doesn't complain about hot dogs for dinner
4) my piano, and my piano teacher's piano
5) pain medication that eases my arthritic knees
This week I'm thankful for:
* having found an experimented art-therapist for my DD. There are very few in my region, and not all of them work with teens.
* The book Brain over Binge. I cannot stress this enough : if you suffer from BED or bulimia, read this book!!!! After more than 30 years of struggles, I've been binge free for 2 weeks and already feel so much better. (alternatively there is also the book Never binge again. Same principles but a more "in your face" approach. Free online.)
* That the constant pain I had in my arms since last august is now almost gone (related to my food intake = less inflammation)
* To not have had lost electricity last week. Most of the city did, some for 6 days straight, so I was one of the lucky ones
* Warmer days!1 And summer dresses 🙂