Thankful Thursday | some days off? NICE.
This week, I am thankful:
for a calmer school week
So far, the pediatrics workload has been way less than the mental health/med surg workload. Yay!
The pediatrics schedule is a little more efficiently compacted, which means that there are multiple weeks where I have either an empty Monday or an empty Friday (or occasionally both!)
Maybe I will feel a little more sane for the next eight weeks than I did the previous eight weeks.
that I'm excited about a pediatrics rotation
During our orientation to pediatrics this week, the professors were talking about techniques to use when working with pediatric patients, and much of it seemed very common sense to me because I have obviously spent years and years taking care of children (my own!)
So, I am not really nervous about pediatric clinicals; I think I will be immediately comfortable with this patient population.
that I'm making steady progress at the gym
My "slow-and-consistent" approach is working because I am slowly but steadily able to increase the weights on the exercises I am doing. And that makes me happy!
I wish I had taken a video of me doing lunges at the start of the summer to compare to now.
I know I was struggling to complete the sets of unweighted lunges back then, but now I can knock out sets of weighted lunges quite nicely.
that there are finally fall colors outside
Suddenly, in just the last week, the view outside my window here has become full of yellow and red and I love it!
It is wild how fast trees do things. In the spring, I feel like I blink and poof! The trees are covered in green. And now the change in color feels similarly sudden.
that I am still in nursing school
As much as I would like to be done with school, I feel grateful to still be here. Not everyone passes each class, so each term, we lose some students.
I would be heartbroken if I'd come this far and then had to drop out, and I do not take my presence here for granted.
Nursing school is hard, but having to leave the program would be even harder!
that Lisey got her braces off
I'm so happy for her! She cheerfully got through the difficulty of wearing visible braces as an adult (and fielded a lot of, "I thought you were 15!" comments), but now her teeth are all fixed and she gets to enjoy life with no braces.
that the weather's been nice enough to walk to school all week
I haven't driven to school a single time this week; I've just been getting there and back on foot power. 🙂
It is a convenient way to get my walk in when a class starts too early for a regular Kristen walk.
that it's not humid
I am relieved and delighted to be in a less-humid time of the year.
and in closing...some JASNA photos
You all requested some photos from A. Marie's Jane Austen Society adventures, so she sent some to me, asking if I could attach them to a comment. But since I can't embed them there, I'll just include them here, and A. Marie can pop in and explain the photos to you in a comment!
First, I'm thankful to Kristen for agreeing to run the JASNA Annual General Meeting photos and taking the time and trouble to do so. I think the first two photos and captions are self-explanatory. (I recall that @JNL was asking on Tuesday what a servant would have worn for outerwear, or for extra warmth in a drafty English house in winter. I assume that a shawl would have been worn indoors and a shawl or cloak outdoors, but I'll have to get more details from JASNA Panera the next time I see her.)
In the third photo, I'm reprising my little comedy routine at the social hour before the banquet: Since a servant would not have been carrying a reticule (the little handbag I have with me), I was going up to friends and whispering in my best lower-class British accent, "Ooooh, don't tell anybody, but I stole me mistress's reticule! And all her silver coins!"
The fourth photo (used with their permission) is of my four fab friends from my JASNA region who adapted Regency costumes to represent four of the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees, since the induction ceremony coincided with our AGM. They were such a big hit that a conference coordinator asked them to lead the promenade from the banquet room to the ballroom!
And I'm thankful indeed to have been able to attend an AGM after 8 long years, and to have had such a fine and stimulating time. Again, special thanks to the JASNA friend who covered my road trip expenses so generously. And special thanks also to a dear friend among the six authors who signed books for me--who not only wrote me an affectionate inscription, but included me in the book's Acknowledgments section. (As I told her about the latter honor, "I'm not sure what I did to deserve this, but thank you!")
@A. Marie,
I love the pictures and the stories! And your friends look fab -
@A. Marie,
Lovely photos, looks like you had fab time!
I live about 25 minutes away from Winchester! Myself and my children were born in Winchester hospital which is just up the road from the Cathedral where Jane austen is laid to rest.
@A. Marie, fun!! Thanks for sharing the photos/stories, and I'm so glad you were able to attend!
@A. Marie, oddly, I can answer the question about Austenite servant warmth…part of the answer is, as you suspected, a shawl indoors and possibly a cloak outdoors (although that would be less likely for your housemaids and kitchenmaids, and probably limited to a lady’s maid), but the bigger part of the answer is underthings. In cold weather, the maids would have switched to woollen or flannel underthings (stockings, chemises, petticoats, slips) and then their daytime clothes (dress etc) would typically have been a thicker fabric than the summer gear. All that extra fabric kept them remarkably warm!
@A. Marie,
Very clearly, you had Fun! I love the costumes and the stories. No wonder you love to go. Thanks for sharing!
@A. Marie, That's so fun. What a great trip, and what wonderful friends. And thanks for sharing.
@A. Marie, Loving your period cosplay and the naughty joke about the reticule is so very you! Your mates in the rock outfits are an added delight. Thanks for sharing.
@A. Marie, How fun! So glad you were able to do this!
@A. Marie, so happy to meet another J.A fan :). I just watched Persuasion again recently. The photos are lovely.
@Jules the First, thanks, that makes sense! I always wear layers if I am cold!
@JNL, I too thank Jules the First for answering your question better than I could. Warm underlayers make all the sense in the world!
@A. Marie, what great pictures snd stories! It sounds like such a fun event.
@A. Marie, you and your friends are so cute! Such clever costumes and big smiles!
@A. Marie, Absolutely love, love, love the pics. None of the groups I belong to hold such interesting events; perhaps I need to upgrade my friendship group! And it is nice to see what you look like, so when I read your comments I can see you in my head.
@A. Marie, Very cool! Thanks for letting us share your fun!
@A. Marie, What fun!
@A. Marie,
Thank you for sharing your photos! It looks like you had a blast! Your friends look amazing in their rock outfits, and I love your comedy turn as a naughty housemaid!
Congrats to Lisey! I wore visible braces as an adult, and got them off last December. It was so nice not to have them.
Thankful:
-my son is okay. We had a brief PICU stay followed by 2 ER visits for what appeared to be a new problem. All the docs are pretty sure it was all one thing with some unique presentations, and labs are showing his body is healing. His behavior is showing that, too.
-my students—yesterday I got to laugh with some students, listen to some heavy stuff with another, and answer some really thoughtful questions with others. These kids enrich my life.
-quiet mornings. I started getting up earlier to help with diligence going to bed, and it has been very good for me.
-cool fall weather. It helps me sleep well.
-beautiful leaves. Brilliant oranges and reds. Stunning yellows. It’s been delightful.
-the ability to heal. I’m sick. But on the mend. And not worried that I’ll need medical intervention. It’s a gift. And my mind and heart and body are healing from other junk I’ve lived through. Also a gift.
@Kaitlin, I'm so sorry you and your son have had such a rough time lately. But I'm glad that you both are on the mend, and I wish you and your family better times ahead.
@Kaitlin, what a wonderful list!
Reading your "thankfuls" this morning was so uplifting!
@Kaitlin, You and your son are in my thoughts. Wishing you both a speedy recovery from the various things that are rough in your lives right now.
@Kaitlin, so glad your son is doing better & that doctors agreed with test results. And hopefully with answers for you about his health. I hope for lighter, happier times ahead for you.
Remember, you're doing great! 🙂
@PD, I thought the same! What grace!
I too am thankful for the wonderful weather we've had the past week. The maple trees are gorgeous right now including a small one in our backyard.
I am thankful to Kristen for introducing me to the Glucose Goddess. I read her books and it is a lot to think about. I am subtly encouraging a couple of relatives that struggle with Type 2 diabetes to learn more.
I am thankful for friends. I am also thankful that a friend's husband was offered a good job. They have both been unemployed since spring.
I am thankful for books, both for entertainment and learning.
I continue to be thankful for modern plumbing, including potable water, HVAC, a decent home, and many more things.
Love those pictures, A. Marie. You Jane Austen folks know how to have fun!
I'm thankful that:
* the weather finally is cooler for good. The leaves are turning, and it's glorious outside.
*my son enjoyed his training session helping in the cat section of an animal rescue . I was afraid he would be stiff and shy, but the cats provided a good icebreaker, and he was chatting with trainers nicely. And he got to play with cats- always fun.
* my husband had done plenty of research to prep for our daughter's appointment with a specialist. I went in with a good sense of what was going on and our concerns.
*the medical professionals whom my daughter saw were awesome and treated her well. We know have a confirmed diagnosis, which gives us some clarity. Sometimes, though, a diagnosis doesn't come with a straightforward treatment, which is hard, but at least we now have support in moving forward.
Hi, A. Marie! Always fun to see people doing something that makes them so happy. 🙂
Thankfuls:
--That I don't have to work today. My middle son was up at 3 a.m. throwing up, so I've been up with him. So glad I don't have to leave him here with his dad and go to work today. Also thankful for this because I started feeling some symptoms of the family cold yesterday.
--That my husband is here when I'm at work. The family cold kept my youngest two children home on days I had to work this week. They don't like being home with only dad when they're sick, but it's a great relief to me that I don't have to take time off. My job doesn't give me a hard time about taking time off if I need to, but with four kids, someone is sick pretty frequently and it's harder on my co-workers if I'm not there.
--That I figured out how to make jello from plain gelatin. I just make lemonade, and then add the gelatin to hot lemonade. It took some experimentation to figure out the right ratio, because most recipes online for homemade gelatin maximize the gelatin for the protein in it, but that makes it too firm for my family. But I figured it out (4 tablespoons gelatin to 6 cups liquid, FYI), and now I can make jello whenever we need it. Which seems to be frequently. Plus, it's cheaper than those tiny boxes, and I know exactly what's in it. I also add a little bit of salt, since I'm usually trying to re-hydrate sick kids with it. I'm going to try making switchel (I make this with lemon juice, maple syrup, ginger powder, salt, and cream of tartar) jello next, for even more hydration. The sick child du jour loves switchel, so I think he might like that.
--For a functioning dishwasher and oven. I did without both for awhile, and that's doable, but it's better when they work.
--For my daughter's good friend, who lives close enough to come for birthday tea parties and so on. My daughter loves her brothers and can hang with the boys just fine, but she also really loves having a girl to play with. I'm not providing her with a sister, so I'm very grateful for another little girl outside the family who can dress up with her, have dance parties, and play games that do not involve combat. 🙂
@kristin@going country, Wishing you strength (& immunity) during your family illness(es). I always think (to myself) is it better when one is sick at a time OR most/whole family sick at once? For me, it depends on what the illness is. But wishing your family a speedy recovery & for you to stay healthy
This week I am thankful for the brief and relaxed trip my husband and I made last week to an eco-friendly little cottage near a Dutch Hanze town . Definitely an area where I should like to go again, good for long walks!
Thankfuls:
- for autumn colours and mushrooms everywhere;
- for i-pads, so we can share our pictures more easily with my ageing (-ed) Mother in law who does not get out and about;
- for lactose free alternatives for one of our kids;
- for homebrewn coffee. I always look forward to my mid-morning cuppas;
- for agreeing with my husband on some decor changes for our living - we have different tastes here and there so whenever we agree I am thoroughly happy. For those cases where we differ in taste, we can and do indulge in the decor of our separate studies;
- for each having our own study, so we can work from home without interruption from each other's Teams calls.
I am thankful for these fun A Marie JASNA photos!
I am thankful that things seem to be falling into place at work. I am learning how the court and office systems work which is helping significantly with efficiency.
Everyone I work with has been very kind and patient as I’m learning. This is not a given in this profession and things were very different in private civil litigation.
I got to dismiss a criminal case this week which is my favorite thing ever!
My 12 year old is now playing two school sports. This is really good. But it takes a lot of time. Last night he told me that he figured out that he’s going to need to get all his homework done before practice and has decided to ask his teachers to give him assignments early.
This is huge for him. We had of course said the same thing to him. But you know how that goes. When a kid figures things out “on his own” something might just possibly come of it.
So proud of you, Kristen, as you continue to succeed at each step of the way through nursing school. I've said it before, but it's worth repeating... you are ROCKING IT 🙂 Thanks for sharing your journey with us- it's a joy to cheer you on!!
Kristen, that's great that you get your walks in on the way to class. My brother will bike to school if the weather is good. It helps energize him for a long day of teaching.
A. Marie, I love the photos and it looks like you had a great time. Thanks for sharing!
This week I am thankful for:
- The cooler weather...aaaaahhh, what a relief! Warm, humid weather and hot flashes don't mix well.
- I'll be on vacation next week after a very hectic summer at work. We'll be staycationing and visiting a museum I've never been to before.
- It's spooky season. While I don't care for gory or really scary movies, I do enjoy the gentler ones, along with homemade popcorn, roasted pumpkin seeds, and one or two pieces of candy corn.
- $5 books at a local bookstore.
- Delicious pear cider, a nice change of pace from the usual apple flavor.
I am thankful to A. Marie for sharing her pictures and the stories that went with the pictures. I went to a fan festival last month for my favorite TV show - When Calls The Heart - and my husband thinks I'm crazy. But at least I now can show him A. Marie's pictures! Glad you had a great time A. Marie.
Thankful that my team from India all got to use their cameras on their laptops yesterday for our team meeting. They were celebrating Diwali in the office and surprised us here in the states. I ended up using my camera and it felt comforting to know the people in India really value their jobs and co-workers. Only person that could not get their camera to work was the lead here in the States, who I am having difficulty with. But .......
I am also thankful to my husband who has been working later hours this week. He has been doing some chores around the house and taking the dog hiking in the AM. He has also been greeting me and said he would help keep me sane for the next 16 months until I retire. Which I really needed to hear. That time could go quickly or be the longest 16 months in my life! LOL
Thankful that he also started the woodstove a couple of cool mornings last week. That was nice.
Thankful for the colorful leaves on the trees here in WV. I certainly did miss the fall colors when we were in FL for 8 years.
Ok - it’s been a really rough week and I always read the blog (couple years now), but never comment. Today I need to find reasons to be grateful so I’ll join you.
That I found a super cool cafe in my hometown.
That I have amazing and supportive friends, coworkers, parents, childcare providers.
That my house feels peaceful and my kids are still laughing.
That the fall leaves look so beautiful wherever I drive.
That I’ve built a community of support to be there for me in hard times.
@Carys, I hope your week gets easier. Glad you have a support system for the hard times.
Aww, I'm glad you joined us today! And also I am sorry it's been a rough week for you.
@Carys, Welcome! Also I love your name--it's so beautiful.
@Carys, Welcome!
@Beverly, thank you so much. I do and I actually have to thank Kristen.
Collin Firth Mr Darcy is the best one!
Nice mob cap. I don't get to say that too often.
I'm thankful for the life of our crazy coonhound, Betsy. Betsy died suddenly and shockingly on Tuesday afternoon--she's been throwing up for a couple days and was a little subdued but not a big enough deal for a vet visit. Well, my son found her dead on her dog bed. I don't know what happened--I have an awful suspicion my next door neighbor threw poison in our yard. She was only six and she should have had many years ahead of her. After a terrible start in life (found starving with gunshot wounds in Arkansas) she deserved much more life. We loved her sweet, beautiful face so much.
https://ibb.co/wRC7GxY
That's all I've got for today. Just too much loss this year. We're all heartbroken.
@Rose,
I'm so sorry you lost your beloved Betsy suddenly 🙁 It's hard when we lose our furry companions. Hugs!
@Rose,
Oh, she was a beauty! I'm so sorry for your loss. Hug those other pups close to you in this hard time.
@Rose, I'm so sorry for your loss! 🙁
I really do hope that your neighbor did not poison your dog. That's horrible that some people would do that sort of thing.
@Regina, Thanks, guys. The puppies came in the house chewing a plastic applicator labeled industrial cockroach poison (of course I grabbed it and no harm done). How did that get in my yard? I have a six foot stockade fence. I tend to think the jerkoff next door who hates my dogs threw it in. Planning to knock on his door this afternoon and tell him that if another of my dogs gets sick, there will be DIRE consequences. I told my kids I'd burn his motel to the ground, actually. I wish my father were alive--he could intimidate anyone easily.
@Rose,
That is really terrible, missing Betsy like this. The love and joy you felt for and with your dogs shone through every post that included them. I feel for you- hugs!
@Rose, my heart goes out to you.
I'm so sorry about your pup. <3
@Rose,
Oh! So sorry for you! There are no words...
@Rose, I'm so sorry about Betsy. The loss of a good, loving dog is a hard thing under any circumstances--but especially under these dubious circumstances. I don't like to think of your living next door to someone who would be that cruel.
@A. Marie, TripAdvisor actually contains many one star reviews complaining about the owner's horrible rude behavior. Apparently he also stalks guests and leers at women in bikinis around the pool. Yuck.
@Rose, I am so sorry for your loss
@Rose, I'm so sorry. Betsy was beautiful. I really hope your neighbor didn't intentionally poison her, or at least will think twice before doing anything like that again.
@Rose, Oh, Rose, I am so sorry to hear about your dog. They leave such a big hole when they go.
@Rose,
I am so sorry for your loss, what a beautiful girl. You gave her the best life after a horrible start to life.
@Rose, I am so sorry. She was beautiful. I hope the beagle boys are okay.
@Rose,
I am so very sorry, Rose! What a doggone tragic loss. If your suspicions are correct, I hope they arrest the nasty neighbor(s) for animal cruelty -- and throw the book at them!
Update: I went next door, knocked, when Jerk answered the door, I said, "One of my dogs was poisoned and died. If another of my dogs gets sick any time soon, you will be very VERY sorry." He then slammed the door in my face.
I considered kicking it in, just on general principles, but didn't. I think I made my point. Dad: wherever you are, I may not be ex-Marine and ex-NYPD, but I flatter myself I can be intimidating too.
@Rose, losing a pet sucks, it sucks big time. I don't care what age and cause of crossing to the Rainbow Bridge. Take your time grieving. And her craziness will help comfort you.
Thankful for a stunningly beautiful autumn season. The lovely weather means that I can get outside for hikes frequently--another Thankful. For my daughter's mid-term break and her visit home last weekend. For being able to attend her college concert last night. For my constantly funny cats.
1. Thankful that my husband and I both made it through two surgeries in 4 weeks. One to remove his left ear completely due to a recurring melanoma and the second to put in a skin graft and posts to hold a new prosthetic ear to come in later months. Neither of these were easy on us and I am so glad that they are behind us.
2. Thankful for provision. Cancer is not cheap.
3. For all the prayers and encouragement from our church family.
4. For a fully stocked freezer and pantry.
5. Modern science and medicine that will, God willing allow my husband and I to grow old together.
@Angie, I hope your husband is healing well from his back-to-back surgeries, and that the two of you are able to come down from the stress-high it could put you in and have restful time together. I'm so glad your church family gives you support.
I'm seeing the tiniest bit of fall color starting here. North Florida does get some autumn color; trees such as crape myrtles, sweet gums, American hornbeam, dogwoods and pear do their best to give us some color.
This week I'm thankful for:
1. My sister just returned safely to central Florida from California, where she'd been visiting in-laws.
2. My daughter got the teen son of one of her close friends to put up my new umbrella clothesline after Helene destroyed my old one. She even paid him (he never asks for money for this type of thing), and refused to let me pay.
3. I've been making a real effort to get to bed earlier, and so far, it's working. Now if I could just convince my dogs that they don't have to bark every time they hear a distant pack of hunting hounds howling in the middle of the night.
4. After a loss in the immediate family during the year, my church puts the names of the deceased for that year on small, individual banners, then a family member is invited to carry that person's banner on a short pole in the opening processional for the All Saints' Day church service. My teen granddaughter has volunteered to carry it, since my daughters and I fully expect to lose our composure if one of us carries it. I'm thankful to the church and thankful to my granddaughter.
5. It's supposed to reach almost 90 today, ouch, but the nights have cooled off some and the humidity is lower, so like many others, I am thankful for that. I am thankful every autumn for cooler weather, the color, the holidays, the lower humidity and the END of hurricane season (in a month).
@JD, your #4 is absolutely lovely. Blessings on your granddaughter for carrying the banner, and on all the rest of you at this beautiful service. And I hope that "For All the Saints, Who From Their Labors Rest" is played for the processional or at some point during the service.
Awww, I hope the service is a balm to your soul, even through the tears.
@A. Marie,
It will be sung! That song makes it every All Saints' Day! That, and "I Sing a Song of the Saints of God."
@Kristen,
Thank you - I expect to cry, but I think it will be a good cry.
@JD, Sending thoughts of strength & solace
@JD, I have never heard of such a touching way to remember those lost in the past year. Kudos to the granddaughter for being so thoughtful. Keeping you in my thoughts.
@JD, What a thoughtful practice! I’m sure I would join you in the good cry if I were present. It would be for your dear relative and also all those formwhom banners were being presented. Thinking of you.
@JD, We look forward to that one yearly. My children will be at a family member's church this year, and they are already bemoaning it because they don't sing ALL the verses at that church like we do at ours.
JODY!! You popped in. Yay!!
@JD, That is wonderful. In the Episcopal church I grew up in, we kids made banners with our names and "saint," because we are all little-s saints, our Sunday School teacher said. Then we paraded around on All Saints' Day.
Having the names of the dead is much more touching. My son put my mother's name down for remembrance on All Souls' Day and I think I want to avoid church that day. Last year it was BFF's name and I started crying. AWK-ward.
@Jody S., welcome back!!
Thank you for sharing A.Marie’s photos, Kristen. A. Marie, thank you for sharing your experience. You look absolutely joyful!
It’s been a tough summer and early fall. I am thankful for the quiet and somewhat boring week that I am having.
I am thankful Rescue Pup’s health is improving after developing sores all over her belly.
I am thankful that I like my new veterinarian. The vet that I used previously retired recently, and I am truly at a loss. I brought my pets to him for 30 years. Our children went to preschool together. Our parents aged together. We went to the same church. He saw me cry more than anyone outside my immediate family. It was all I could do not to call him.
I am thankful that I have a nice day planned today. My sister and BF are taking me out for a belated birthday lunch.
I am thankful fall has finally come to Florida!
Wishing everyone the blessings of peace, good health, and prosperity.
Yay for Florida fall! What kind of temps does fall bring for you?
@Kristen,
The high temperature today is 82 and the evening low is 61!!! There is a nice sea breeze and only 60% humidity! Just wonderful.
Yay for some respite from the heat!
Thankful for beautiful weather and seeing leaves changing colors as we drove through West Virginia last week.
Thakful that I was able to spend time with family and childhood friends that I hadn't seen in a couple years in Kentucky.
Thankful for all the time and adventures that DH and I get to spend together. We seem to spend our days together with working from home, but new adventures are always fun.
Thankful the sellers of the house we are trying to buy have been very flexible throughout this process...had the appraisal and one last inspection this week after some repairs were made and fingers crossed that those come back good. We should hear today...if so...we will close next week.
Thankful for job security with all the unknown in our country and economy at the moment...lots going on in the next few weeks and you never know how any of that will affect everything.
So glad Pediatrics is off to easy good start for you.
Thankful for my house & the furnace to keep us warm as it was 34* before sun & 36* at 9am... & mid 20s this weekend. I am so not ready for the cold.
Thankful that I got to talk to my Aunt other day & that she did get the apartment she went to look at. My dads girlfriend & my Aunt went furniture shopping (more inland) & was able to order some furniture to be delivered this weekend. Then she will at least be able to start sleeping & eating a little better (& more better as time goes on).
Thankful for my dad still continuing to drive 2 hours to my Aunt most days to help her with (what's left of ) the house & property. He has been taking most of her outside stuff (she won't use in apartment) & bringing her totes each trip. Aggressively working to get what's left in house gone through & cleaned & packed or put into the garbage. Lucky that my Aunt neighborhood recently had all the debris by road cleaned up by line of semi dump trucks. So no need for people to be in area at/near night going through stuff.
Thankful that there is more gasoline available at stations in Florida. Still no diesel, but people can now fill up tank on vehicle(s) & gas cans.
Thankful for the (mostly) warmer days & the ability to get things outside finished up & done. Except the leaves, which is now on what feels like never ending cycle. Working to get as much leaves done as can because otherwise they become too thick to blow easily. The joys of living in the midwest (?).
Thankful that teen has no college class right at this moment as teen has been sick (nothing contagious) for almost week & going to high school class is about all teen can manage & then comes home & rests. **I read somewhere that sick people should go outside (appropriately dressed) in fresh air & sunshine for 30 minutes a day, that it aids in healing. Apparently there was a study done (somewhere) that confirms this.
Thankful for Kristen & providing a site where we can share & learn with each other.
Have a great weekend!
@Regina, I’m so glad to hear your aunt is getting settled after the storm. I can only imagine how difficult it has been for her. I glad she has had the love and support of family,
Love the pictures and stories from A.Marie. Thanks for sharing.
- I'm thankful that I was able to stop by and cheer up my daughter after she had a rough day. She put her backpack on top of the car when putting the baby into the car and then ran over it when it fell off, crushing her work computer. I zipped by Trader Joe's and picked her favorite ice cream sandwiches and a bouquet of flowers as a pick-me-up.
- I'm thankful that my company supports local charities. My favorite one right now is called Sleep in Heavenly Peace who build and deliver beds to children in need. Their motto is "No kid in our town sleeps on the floor!" My company is doing a bedding drive to contribute essential bedding items for SHP and will provide a monetary donation.
- I'm thankful that I am financially able to purchase items for the bedding drive. Of course, I shopped around to get the biggest bang for my buck.
- I'm thankful that DS made an A+ on his history midterm. He was so worried he was not going to do well on the test, so that was a big confidence boost for him.
- I'm thankful that my siblings and I have finally agreed on how to split the acreage from Mom's estate. There have been lots of contentious discussions and raised voices during the extensive negotiations. That is the last piece needed to finally close out the estate.
@Beverly,
My church assists SHP as well. They have a yearly bed build in the church parking lot and get a lot of them made. It's easy to forget that beds are expensive and not everyone has one.
1. Helpful news on another front means I don’t need to hie off to someplace inconvenient to help someone else. (Which, just for the record, I would have done without a contrary word to the someone else.)
2. That I have a lot of cheese from a recent trip to Vermont. Cheese being soft and therefore temporary-crown-friendly.
3. Fall weather. It’s my favorite.
4. The old, huge oak across the street which, for the second year in a row, is a spectacular flaming orange that I can see from my home office.
5. Having enough money for my needs and many of my wants. It doesn’t matter to me that if this means I have more money or fewer wants; it’s the conjunction of the two that matters.
@WilliamB, I've never seen the word hie used before. I knew it was a good Scrabble word, but didn't know the meaning. Thank you for broadening my vocabulary!
@tjbl, happy to help!
My first grade picture shows a little girl with a pony tail and bangs and a big smile, who is missing her front tooth. So I am thankful I seem to be the only one who still has that picture. Hang in there, Chiquita!
@JDinNM, I could be wrong but I think Kristen et al were referring to the closed eyes and grimace-smile.
Haha yes when kids don’t know how to produce a smile that approximates anything close to an actual smile. Ha.
But the missing teeth could work too!
@Kristen, I interpreted it more generally as a commentary on the unattractive nature of school class photographs.
I’m an avid reader but seldom comment. The A. Marie pictures inspired me!
I am thankful for:
1. The A. Marie pictures and her comments here and over at NCA.
2. The beautiful sunshine during our Marco Island vacation this week,
3. Successful ear tube surgery for our beautiful grandson this week.
4. Calm waters on the Gulf which will allow me to kayak today. The kayaks are free to use for owners at our timeshare. We picked up our resale weeks for a song and have created many great memories here.
5. Duke University’s OLLI program for older adults, which offers great Zoom classes that you can take no matter where you live. This term, I took classes about Mary Queen of Scots (who had a fascinating and sad life), Modern Architecture, and Racial Identity.
@BethC., When I visited the Palace of Holyroodhouse, I figured out why Mary was so crank! She's about as tall as I am and I kept cracking my head on low doorways, etc. Enough to put any queen in a bad temper.
My daughter once went as Mary for Halloween. Helps to have bright red hair like Mary.
@Rose, cranky not crank.
It's worth going to the palace just to see the Darnley Jewel which is on display. It rocks.
https://www.rct.uk/collection/28181/the-darnley-jewel-or-lennox-jewel
@Rose, We did not make it to the Palace when we were in Scotland a few years ago. Thanks for the rec-we will be sure to go if we get to Scotland again. Mary was imprisoned in many different castles, it seems.
Way to go on the academics, Kristen!
Two thankfuls, one hopeful.
The first thankful: My HB had a urologist appt. on Monday, I think we waited less than a month for this appointment. His next appt is for a scope (bladder) at the local hospital for end of November, and thereafter they will book him in for a scan. All in all, a decent amount of time between appts.
The 2nd thankful: my sisters housekeeper came by today to clean my house. I only get her when she has a cancellation. She is very popular and has a long wait list; and very trustworthy. Always thankful when she helps me out.
The hopeful: my brother has pneumonia and went to the hospital last night. Tomorrow is his 58th birthday. I am so crying, I love my brother dearly. He has horrible lungs and gets bronchitis on a regular basis. He messaged me and said he's never been this sick in his whole life. I'm hopeful that the hospital staff will give him good care and get him through this. Prayers and positive thoughts welcome. (heart emoji).
@Linda in Canada, Good thoughts for your poor brother. They have such good drugs for pneumonia now, I bet he'll kick its butt.
@Linda in Canada, Sending them to you now and hope to hear good news in the fullness of time.
1. Thankful that winter has finally arrived, although I wish it had been less aggressive about announcing itself: six inches of snow, then rain, then freezing temps that brought down power lines when the ice encrusted tree limbs fell. Not just the schools and government offices to shut down, and the banks closed early, but even the military base closed to anyone not "mission essential." I never remember that happening when it is not 40 below and too dangerous to be outside. We did not leave the house for three days. Now that it is going to the single digit temperatures, the ice will get sticky so driving is safer.
2. Thankful for our new upright freezer with drawers that pull out so you can see things and organize drawers by contents (meat, vegetables, etc.). My husband is not the swearing one in our household, but diving into our chest freezer used to bring out choice words. Now he positively skips to the freezer when we need something.
3. Thankful for a reliable generator and that we always keep two gas cans full just in case we need to fire it up.
4. Thankful that I volunteer at the food bank. It is so inspiring to see the good done by that agency, as well as how much the grocery stores and Costco donate. I know they get a tax write off, but still...
5. Thankful for the husband, always the husband. I have no idea how I was lucky enough to have him appear in my life.
So glad, Kristen, that this semester is structured w room to breath and with a familiar subject. When we covered peds in LPN school, I was friends w a church family with a child in every stage of growth. It was quite fun.
So excited to see photos from A. Marie! and your good time at JASNA. JD, a good cry is warranted with all you've been through. Rose, I am so sorry about Betsey. kristin@going country, I appreciate your term "the family cold." I remember when my Mom would take one or some of us to the GP and get medicine for the whole tribe. Kaitlin, thankful your son is getting better and you are, too.
I am thankful that Molly is less limp this week and more vibrant. Sometimes she exasperates me (she wet on the bed last night) but I would not do w/o her.
Thankful for a quick trip this a.m. to a neighboring town to radiology for a Dexascan. I could have it at the hospital here, but there is a mighty difference in a "for profit" and "not for profit" charge even with Medicare. It all pays the same but I fight the principle of overcharging by going out of town. Thankful that I could visit the restaurant for a very good lunch. They serve home cooked type meals for a reasonable price.
Thankful for a letter from SS saying (since I am still working part time) that they will provide back pay because of the continued pay in soon and with the next check. In fact, I am thankful that even though I made a math mistake on my taxes this year, I got a refund (that was a couple of months ago).
Thankful for the sunshine and beautiful colors on my short trip to and from home this day. I am enamored with the differences of textures and colors of the grasses and varieties of trees.
No. 1 - Love the JASNA photo share, A.Marie! Looks like a thoroughly fun time!
No. 2 - The true joy in nursing school is honing your skills in every clinical rotation and help to choose your specialization. I am enjoying your nursing journey and have encouraged my niece to read your blog (she is!).
My thankfuls this week: (1) dry weather to help with getting a new roof on our rental home.
(2) My horrible sinus infection is subsiding (a detox soak in the tub).
(3) A church youth group helped to pot up my 100 geraniums and move to the greenhouse for a generous donation to their winter activities fund. I also gave them 20 grapevine wreaths that I made for their harvest market sale happening this weekend.
(4) Filling the freezers with fresh venison
(5) Installed the frost covering for the winter garden raised beds just-in-time, we had our first frost this morning. Currently growing chard, kale, beets, carrots, cabbage and broccoli.
It's been a while, and it will probably be a while again, but this week I am thankful:
*that culling the chickens is over.
*for a productive garden. Also that the garden was bush-hogged and disked today. That means I don't have to feel guilty about not wanting to do anything else in it. We picked more tomatoes, peppers, a melon (which I'm not optimistic about), some hidden tiny pumpkins/squash, a few turnips, and a bouquet of zinnias before this garden season was officially ended.
*that I will see the away college boy soon.
*that I am being more productive with our little homeschool now that I cut out a good bit of internet usage.
*for the bluetooth speaker my son bought me. I'm really digging George Jones right now, and I love listening in the kitchen.
*for taking some time to catch up with the Commentariat today. I miss the comments. Great pictures, A. Marie!
*that we will be able to pick up half a beef tomorrow to restock our freezer.
*for rainbows in my kitchen. It's the time of year that the morning sun hits the prism in my window just right around breakfast time.
*for new shoes. I think. I haven't started wearing them yet, but I have high hopes.
*for lovely weather, even if we could use some rain.
*for the fun story my son asked me to read last night. (He wrote it. It's not finished, but he wanted my opinion. It feels good that my adult son respects my opinion. I didn't expect that out of life.)
*for the coffee I drank today. For middle daughter's piano current piano piece; it is beginning to sound so lovely. For my husband.
@Jody S., welcome back! But you are listening to the wrong George. . . George Strait gets my vote. 😎
@Central Calif. Artist Jana, I'm listening to him, too, but. . . my oldest daughter is so very into old country music. And it's a bug that's bit me, too. And thank you for the welcome, but I'll only be popping in now and then because I've found that I need to spend less time online and more time getting the things done.
George Clinton! One nation under a groove.
I love that photo of you with the sunbeams shining down on your head. You look like a real life angel. 🙂
I’m thankful for …
1) My 5 senses. I’ve finally finished reading ‘The 5 Senses’ by Gretchen Rubbin and really liked it. Made me realize how much we take for granted.
2) My artistic talent that God has blessed me with and being able to use it to help others or for me to enjoy. It came in handy when I helped decorated the church for our Candypalooza event for the kids and when I was gifted a fall wreath from my BuyNothing group that I redecorated and put my personal touch on.
3) Was kindly gifted a bag of dark chocolate, my favorite type of chocolate, for free for my help at church.
4) My 3 beautiful and healthy girls. I love them very much. It seems the older they get, the more I see their personality shine through.
5) The library bookmobile and how it stops by monthly close to us. The librarians are always kind and of course, we love checking out books and DVDs there.
@A. Marie - my mental image of you was not far off. Looks like you had a fantastic time, which IMHO, you so deserved.
Older kiddo didn't have to wear visible braces very long. The orthodontist finally told kiddo it was okay to stop wearing a retainer at night. Younger kiddo, not as fortunate. Tell Zoe she was not alone in the adventure of braces.
We need rain, it is supposed to rain tonight. So I'll be thankful even though it hasn't actually started. OH, I see lightening!!
Thankful for two great kiddos. Local is taking my dad out to see not-local as well as the grandchild and grandchild's family of dad's favorite aunt (and my grandpa's favorite sister). Birth order of grandpa, great-aunt, dad, great-aunt's youngest kiddo resulted in out of state kiddo/grandchild being close in age.
Also thankful my sibling is local and is pet sitting for dad while he's out of town.
@Selena, ye gads, I meant Lisey. I had cat on the brain after seeing Chiquita. Mine are sleeping on the couch, not supposed to be. The stray we took in almost 3 years ago has turned my better half into a cat person. Tis a rare day when he doesn't make the comment "I can't understand why X was dumped, he's such a good cat".
Zoe did have braces before! And she's assigned a lifetime of retainer wearing at night. I think it's the same story for Lisey as well.
Love the Chiquita pics, and all your thankful happy news! Hi A. Marie - looks fun!
I'm thankful:
-That the heat in my classroom got fixed.
-That even though I had to sit in serious traffic two days in a row, I was able to get home safely and did not pee my pants (thank you teacher bladder lol).
-For all the progress my husband has made this week on some organization and home projects that have been delayed by my health and family health issues.
-For Mint Mobile lol - such frugal and reliable service!
-For my high school students and all the ways in which they are resilient, even when things don't go optimally or as planned. And for the ones who support and encourage other students vs. making fun of them when they face challenges or struggle.
thanks for sharing a braceless lisey. she looks FAB. so nice to get a tiny update on her life. you dear fg will be fgrn preety darn soon. and you deserve accolades galore. and thank for the chiquita pics too.
How far is your walk to/from school?
I am thankful for:
-cat snuggles (Milo only wants to cuddle when it is cold)
-sunshine even on the chilly days!
-wool sweaters I find thrifting
-friends!
Love the gorgeous photo of the braceless Lisey!