Thankful Thursday | Sometimes this is easy, sometimes it's hard
This week has been a bit of a doozy on the personal front, and I'm physically and mentally tired. This means it's probably a very good thing I need to make a thankful list today!
This week, I am thankful:
for my nice warm house
We are supposed to get some super super cold weather in the next few days, and that has made me think about how grateful I am to have a warm house to live in.
for a new hiking trail I found
This one is only about a ten-minute drive from my house, which is quite manageable.
I do appreciate the wooded trails that are right by my house, but sometimes it's nice to switch things up a little bit.
for a round of good grades
I got A's in all my classes last semester, so my 4.0 is gonna remain intact going into the nursing program. Chemistry did not take me down! 😉
that we didn't get sick all semester
Even though all of us were in school, we didn't get sick even with colds. I feel like this is a serious mercy because we all had classmates who were out with the flu and covid.
Also, I would have hated to have to do makeup work for my science classes. Those are so labor-intensive, once you get behind it's hard to catch up.
that the semester ends a bit before Christmas
Ok, yes, I am still barely getting all my Christmas stuff done in time, but imagine if the semester ended, like, today or tomorrow! I'd really be behind then.
I have been getting caught up on a lot of stuff now that finals are over. Crazy how productive you can be when you are not in school. 😉
that my mammogram office is so close to my house
They moved in the last year, and now their office is three minutes away from where I currently live. Sweet!
I still hate mammograms, but at least I didn't have to drive far.
Also, my report was clear, so yay.
And I am thankful that I only have to do these once a year.
that I squeezed in a walk this morning before the rain
It's gonna be soggy out there the rest of the day, so I'm glad I was able to get a small walk in before the skies started dripping.
that I ran tons of my errands yesterday
It was sunny yesterday, which was perfect weather for making eleventy-twelve stops at stores.
Today would be so much less pleasant for a day of errands.
for blueberry pancakes
Pancakes are good as-is, but man, blueberries really take them to another level.
I use this whole wheat buttermilk pancake recipe, in case you were wondering.
that our cat's leg seems to be ok
She was limping, so I took her in and the vet thinks it's just inflammation, definitely not a broken bone. Whew.
Shortly before her appointment, she went and hid under my bed, which she never does. It's like she knew she was about to go to the vet and I have no idea how she figured that out! I hadn't even gotten her carrier out.
Thankfully Zoe was able to get her out, and we did make it to the vet on time!
Congratulations on your A's. Great achievements this week .
With a temp of -14° and wind chill of -42° ... yes, I am very thankful for my warm house and for the good windbreak planted by previous generations of my husband's family.
@Karen., oof! Our windchill is -35 with real temp around -7. It’s brutal! Warm houses are wonderful. I can’t imagine living before good insulation or easy to use ovens. It must have been so hard.
The first thing I saw was the picture of your cat at the vet's. Then you said you had had a difficult week. I'm telling you I was a bit upset until I found out Mr. Cat was okay.
I think I worry more about sick/injured animals than people.
@Anne, I do too. I can't help it.
I know, I had that as the featured image and then once I hit "publish" I realized that it made it look like something was seriously wrong with our cat! I changed it, but sometimes it takes a bit to update.
Congrats on the excellent grades! And glad your kitty got an OK. It’s amazing how they seem to know something is up. One time we had to entirely disassemble a king bed when the cat positioned himself exactly in the middle so we couldn’t reach him from any side.
It’s -17 degrees here in the Denver metro area this morning (forecast high of -1 for today), so look out, eastern half of the country! I’m also thankful for my warm house and the fact that I can work from home.
Cats are mind readers! Congratulations on your grades: you worked so hard for them.
Today I am thankful for a warm house, my sweet family, the surprisingly delicious use-it-up soup made for supper last night, and our wonderful elderly kitty who sits in my lap every morning while I drink coffee.
@Ruby, The elderly kitties are the best. One of our prior ones used to sit on me every single time I sat on the couch - even if I had just gotten up, or wasn't going to sit long, or had something in my lap - didn't matter, she took my lap.
@Molly, I had a cat like that. Best lap cat ever. Couldn’t sit for just a minute cuz he would be in my lap and I’d feel guilty for making him get down. Still miss him.
@Ruby,
I love my lap kitty! She is definitely a blessing!!!
@Ruby, We ate up the last 2 and a bit cups of a use-it-up soup that needed to be eaten, as the 'starter' (LOL, SOOO fancy) for our dinner last night. It was SO delicious, I think my son and I both wished that it was our entire supper. Particularly since the rest of supper was also leftovers and I inadvertently over = over roasted the veggies. Crunch. Ah, well, we ate it up and enjoyed each other's company.
These are mostly weather related because of the recent snowstorm:
• My warm house! It is currently many many degrees below zero outside but we are warm and cozy inside the house. It has been advised to not be on the roads if you don’t have to be so I’m happy to be comfortable at home.
• My job does not require me to be in the office so I can avoid the icy roads today.
• The sun is shining through the windows. It’s been cloudy for days so I’m excited to see the sun.
• I have almost all things taken care of for Christmas. I have a few last minute tasks, but since it’s too cold to go anywhere I will be able to take care of them with no distractions.
• We have a service to clear our driveway when we get a certain amount of snow. When I woke up this morning our driveway and walkway were already cleared.
• The days will be longer from here on out! The past few weeks my son has been getting off the school bus after sunset so he doesn’t really get a chance to see the sun on school days. We use ‘happy lamps’ each winter but there is nothing better than real sunshine!
@Geneva,
Oh yes! I am so thankful that from now on the days will be longer!
Today I'm thankful that:
*you are still here, sharing gratitude in tough times.
*you earned those good grades.
*my son also got a 4.0-- that's good for keeping his scholarships (he wouldn't be going to that college without them).
*we have all the food we need and we are snug in our home while the snow falls.
*I found the right sizes of snow boots and snow clothing (or close enough) in our basement so that the children who were squealing over snow are now playing outside in appropriate clothing.
*the older kids can dress themselves for snow and that the younger ones can do more of the task all by themselves.
*the bulk of wrapping is done.
*my husband made me some coffee.
*my 2nd son (NKS) offered to make breakfast this morning so I could "sleep in" (otherwise known as staying in bed while little kids squealing over snow climbed into bed with me).
*there's a pumpkin from our garden baking in the oven (for Christmas's pumpkin pie).
*it's snowing and not ice right now. I really hope we don't lose our electricity today.
*I like my husband's sermons. Man, it would stink if I didn't because not only would I have to edit and listen to them, but I would also be unable to complain about how horrible my pastor's sermons were to my husband.
*my dad lives with us.
*snow falling is so pretty.
@Jody S.,
So many things on your list made me smile! 🙂
@Ruth T, I think the knowledge that there is an end to the "so excited to go play in the snow" stage made me so appreciative today. And this is the best packing snow we've (maybe ever) had here; you should see the giant snow family they made!
@Jody S.,
Yes! My kids range in age from 4-8 and I'm cherishing these last years before my oldest is less childlike (if that makes sense). The love of play is a beautiful thing. I hope the snow family sticks around for a while for y'all!
@Jody S.,
What a wonderful collection of things to be thankful for! Merry Christmas!
Thankful for your blog today and your honestly. Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas!
I always say extra prayers for you during the holidays. For reasons you know.
Much love!
It always gets me when people say cats aren't smart. They are! They certainly are. I'm glad your kitty is okay. This morning I am thankful for:
That I get a week off for Christmas. It is so needed this year.
That our Christmas party is today at work. Free catered meal and merriment!
I'm thankful that I found all of the necessary groceries for Christmas Eve with my family. I was concerned, given the crowd, that they'd be sold out of certain things.
I'm also thankful that I can still afford the groceries with inflation being so high. I know so many people are struggling this Christmas.
That my Dad is recovering nicely after he had a varicose vein burst, and it wasn't painful. Also, my Mom does NOT have diabetes after a scare (it was a medication). When your parents become elderly, it's like your heart beats outside of your chest with them. I guess it's similar to having children.
So glad the kitty is okay! Pet health issues are never good and it would be tragic if you didn't have your kitty to snuggle with over the holidays!
1. Since it is supposed to be 9 degrees here tomorrow I am so grateful for a warm house with a fireplace. Here in the South these are temperatures that we rarely if ever see so preparing is something of a comedy of errors with everyone running in 45 different directions to get bread and milk ahead of the storm.
2. Repetitive I know but I am super thankful to have a well-stocked pantry and freezer so that I can avoid being in the long lines at the grocery stores.
3. For the possibility that we might see a bit of snow on Christmas Eve and the fact that I won't have to turn on the AC in order to cook the Christmas Roast. Hurrah!
4. For family staying with us this holiday season and the joy of a full house and repeatedly empty coffee pot. In our house that means conversations are happening, puzzles are being made, cookies are being enjoyed. All around loveliness.
5. For the ability to complete workouts over the last two days even though I am out of shape that have made me feel totally awesome. Am I sore...you better believe it. But every step is one in the direction of better overall health and I am excited about this.
Love to all & Merry, Merry Christmas!!!!
I'm glad your kitty is OK! Our senior kitty cost us $1200 at the vet last week, so I'm grateful we can afford to pay for this and that he is doing better now on prednisone. My SIL and BIL had to put to sleep their young and much beloved dog this week, so that just underscores how lucky we are.
I always take the cat carrier out a day early to give my guys a chance to become desensitized to the sight.
Congratulations on stellar grades! So much to be thankful for ❤️
It was a smooth transition between your mammogram and "squeezing " in a walk. Congrats on your fantastic grades. When I went back for my BSN I had to take intermediate algebra - not easy 33 years after high school algebra. It was days before graduation and Christmas that I had my final and I was very pleased with my A-. Take good care of yourself during these hard times.
Hahahah, that was inadvertent. Maybe I was subconsciously thinking of the squeezing!
This week I'm thankful:
* that my kids are on Christmas break! They've been sharing sick germs and I'm thankful that they're not missing school.
* that COVID taught us flexibility and how to be home for days on end. Heading into this week I was envisioning and scheduling playdates, a swim at the pool, baking Christmas cookies, and letting my older kids finish their Christmas shopping. Instead, we have had to cancel our outings and are mostly at home. But it's really ok. And we'll get around to baking once everyone is healthy.
* that we're making progress on the relationship between our two cats and our new dog. One is coming along faster than the other and it's going slower than we anticipated, but we're making progress.
* for how the Lord provided our dog for our family.
* that we don't travel on Christmas Day - other than (this year) going to church since it'll be Sunday. I'm really looking forward to our Christmas Day traditions.
* that we never stop learning. I love that I'm in my late-30's and still learn new things all the time!
So glad you did well in everything!!!! Good for you.
It’s a balmy -16 with our first snow here, so I’m also on the “thankful for a warm house” train! On a related note, I’m thankful for our cats being even more cuddly, especially our scarred former street cat. Loud wind still worries him, so we give him extra love and lap time to remind him that he’s inside and safe now.
Congratulations on your stellar grades and a better-than-expected vet report on Shelley (aka Frugal Cat), Kristen. And best wishes for better times ahead.
Now, TT, Two Wonderful Guys Edition: This week, I'm thankful for...
DH's friend who comes over periodically to handle minor repairs that are either above my skill level or literally over my head (e.g., changing bulbs in ceiling light fixtures; I'm old enough and have a poor enough sense of balance that I don't belong on a stepladder any more). He worked his way through a longish list yesterday.
And my dear Dr. Bestest Neighbor, who turns 86 today and has the energy and joie de vivre of a man 25 years younger. Happy birthday, Dr. BN!
We are donedonedone! HOORAY! So, thankfuls . . .
--The terrible weather forecast for today (-20 windchills) resulted in our superindentent ending the semester a day early. So, although yesterday was absolutely insane at work/school with finals, caroling in the village, hastily planned class parties, etc., we did not have to do to school today. An early Christmas present to all of us.
--The school cook got our Sysco delivery yesterday, so I was able to bring home the 50 pounds of flour I got in that order. And I now I have untainted flour to make bread, cookies, etc. for holiday baking. Such a relief to me.
--We have an upcoming out-of-state trip for which we hired our teenage neighbor to take care of the animals. That resulted in us finally--after 20 years of hauling water and breaking ice for sheep--buying tanks and submergible de-icers. And THAT meant that the pony's water was completely liquid this morning, even though it was 3 degrees outside. Hooray for not hauling water.
--My husband's office is big enough that I could clear out enough space for the two dogs' crates. They stay out almost all the time, but these temperatures with the wind means they will be mostly crated in there for a couple of days. They are very happy to hibernate in temperatures and run right back to the office door to get back in their crates after their brief forays outdoors.
--In the midst of the craziness yesterday, I remembered to go over to the high school library and get half a dozen books for my oldest two boys. And that has meant a very quiet morning so far. So glad we are a family of readers.
@kristin @ going country, Oh, and I am completely unsurprised by your grades. And laughed at the one that was over 100%. 🙂 Way to go.
Haha, that's thanks to me taking advantage of the few extra credit opportunities that are available!
@kristin @ going country, I'm so happy you have flour!
I am so, so thankful, that my dog is ok again. When I left the clinic in the whee hours of Sunday night, the vets were not too ootimistic Willy would make it till daylight!
I so much can relate to you being so happy Kristen, that your cat doesn't have any serious health issue. Not to mention the costs you might have saved.....
I just finished another 6 hours baking marathon with my nephew. It is so sweet that even as a 22 year old now he keeps up the tradition of baking with his aunt. He really seems to enjoy it.
I am very grateful for that.
As we are Jewish we do not celebrate Christmas. My sister is married to a Gentile and they usually do celebrate Christmas with the in-laws of my sister in England. For some reason this will not happen this year. I just found out about this yesterday. With the Ukrainians in my house I had already planned on a festive meal Saturday night. So I invited my sister and brother-in-law as well then and with two of my sons being in town I will open up a big table and meal. Added Bonus: my sister speaks Russian fluently so that's nice for the Ukrainians. And for the Non Christians among us it is simply a family gathering.
I am thankful for being able to make Christmas Eve that way nice and festive for the Ukrainians and my brother-in-law!
After a very cold week with snow and frost and ice I am quite thankful for the really mild temperatures now. We are all asked (not forced) by government to keep the thermostats at 65 F this winter to ensure our gas supplies will last through March. I stick to that recommendation but it is much easier with mild temperatures outside ;-). So I am thankful for that.
In order to help with high inflation, employers may pay ONCE up to € 3.000 per person in addition to the regular salary - completely tax-free and no deduction for social security - if the company so wishes/is able to do so. In my company all of us got an extra ××× hundred Euros with the regular December salary. I am very, very thankful for this - for my bosses to decide to do so and for my government to open up this possibility.
So glad your dog is ok! And your holiday plans sound wonderful.
@Lea, I admire your holiday plans. Please give my regards to your Ukrainian guests and to all of your extended family. And kudos on the company bonus; I'm glad you're getting this additional break.
@Lea, Christmas blessings to you and your generous hospitality. May your holidays and the coming year be full of the joy of giving and loving.
I’m sorry this has been a heavy week for you personally. I’ve said many prayers for my friends in tough situations this week, and I will add you to that list. Christmas can be a tricky time of year.
My TT:
-my city. I had never step foot in this city before September, and it is turning into a home with activities to do, spectacular medical care, community programs for my son that allow him to experience all the fun of outdoor adventuring, and fabulous county support for the disabled.
-my warm home. Temps have been below 0F the last few days with impossible feeling windchills, but my house is warm enough to sleep comfortably. The kitchen is the coldest room (poor to no insulation) and even that is registering almost 60F.
-gorgeous snow. I get to live in a snow globe, basically. It’s so wonderful and gorgeous. And my kids love it.
-a day to get some Christmas prep done before the kids start their holiday.
-renovations on our bedroom will be done before Christmas! Which means I won’t need to sleep in the living room Christmas Eve!
@Kaitlin, but Santa hoped to kiss you! Merry Christmas!
Congratulations on your impressive grades!
Thank you!
Really needed this:
I am thankful for an interesting and rewarding job and the chance to try a new field in my 40s
A wonderful and loving kid
The opportunity to travel to be with family at the holidays
A great organization that allows me to be part of giving back to our community.
For being in a funk, you managed to make a long list! Good for you!
Today I am thankful for:
...Online ordering and Delivery drivers--it's an icy mess outside right now, but all my Christmas is bought and most is already here. Thankful for the drivers who are braving these hazards so I don't have to!
...The opportunity to give to those in need. This week in our BN group, we had 2 requests for gifts for children. Because I cashed in ibotta, I was able to order one gift for a pair of sisters whose single mom hadn't been able to get anything. Yesterday a desperate request came in from someone who had discovered a single dad who, due to unforeseen circumstances, had no money to buy gifts for his 8 yr old daughter. I found a necklace I'd bought and never given to someone, a tie-dye kit I'd bought last summer as an activity for my granddaughter--who'd just made shirts in summer camp and wasn't interested in another, and an impulse duplicate gift of one I bought my granddaughter because it was a two-fer deal. I also had extra bags of Hershey kisses I could include in both instances. And lastly, our assistant pastor's wife's microwave went kaput yesterday, and they are having family in this weekend. A member found out about it, put the word out, and a bunch of us collected some money to help buy a new one. Goosebumps moment: We had no amount in mind, just gathered funds, and when she opened the envelope, it was the exact amount they had spent for the one they bought. No one but the pastor and his wife knew how much that microwave cost.
...That I have nowhere to go today and can just finish cleaning my house, wrapping gifts, and watch the icy rain pour down as I play Christmas music.
...For the staff at the doctor's office and a pharmaceutical rep who are working to get my husband's brand new cancer med for free. They've provided enough samples for 2 months so far, and as our co-pay would be >$850/month, we are profoundly grateful. The med won't cure his cancer, but will slow the progression, and that's what he wants for now.
...For food in my pantry and freezer, for a working appliances (though most are pretty old and will probably need to be replaced in the next year or two), for a cuddly dog to keep us company and make us laugh, and for our daughter and granddaughter, who bring us joy every day.
...For my God, who is the reason for the season.
Merry Christmas, everyone!
Yay for the good grades!!! And for a cat with no broken bones.
Several of my thanksgivings are also Frugal Things.
1. Well, you may remember that one of my frugal things this week was that I pushed finding the lost package I was waiting on, and it was finally back on its way to me? Well, "it" arrived last night - only the label. The package itself is missing and the label was letting me know that (the tracking messages should have let me know that, but didn't). Why is this a thanksgiving? Because the company I ordered from let me reorder, and since those sale items are now out of stock, they let me order new ones that are not on sale, for zero extra dollars, and is shipping them straight out, no charge for shipping either. Stay tuned as we track my new friends down the eastern seaboard in a winter storm of epic proportions.
2. That the guys who came to do several small electrical and plumbing jobs for me were quick, cheerful, and helped me find a replacement fountain pump online for an amount less than the stores around here are asking, which means I also don't pay their company's markup, since I'm providing the pump, not them. They also laughed and cut jokes as we dug around looking for the buried wire from the breaker box to the fountain. We thought we'd never find it, even though I knew the correct area to dig. They all pitched in to dig and then returned the dirt into the many holes after we found the wire, and only charged me for an hour of labor when they were there 2.5 hours.
3. I'm thankful that although my patient assistance program for my super expensive bi-monthly injections is discontinued after 12/31/22, I was recently approved for a new manufacturer's program for 2023, which is allowed to assist those on Medicare. The injections are now up to $28,751 and change, each.
4. I'm thankful for finding a recipe for AIP-compliant pumpkin-based chili. It's never going to be real chili, with chili powder, beans and tomatoes, but it is good and has plenty of warm spice to it - garlic, onion and ginger, plus I added ganthoda powder to it - that makes me feel much more like I'm eating a bowl of chili. I've been missing chili!
5. Like Kristen, I'm thankful that my heat works and that I have most of my errands done as well, since we are to see very low temperatures for Florida this weekend - possibly in the teens one night.
@JD, the package saga continues.
$28,000+? Wow.
@JD, what Ginger said--especially about the injection price. Almost $29K a pop? That's insane. I'll spare you my usual rant about Big Pharma, but take it as read.
@A. Marie,
Patient assistance programs can be helpful even when you have less expensive medicines. If you can’t afford your medicine, let your doctor or pharmacist know. Often there is info too on the pharmaceutical company’s website. My son took a medication that was $750 a month. As a 20-something with terrible insurance, he could not afford it. I helped him send a request to Eli Lilly, and they supplied his medication for 3 years.
Kudos, Kristen, on your fabulous grades!!
And it’s wonderful news that your mammogram was clear!
I struggle with the winter months for a few reasons. Still, I’m thankful for certain seasonal things that brighten the dark times. I’m thankful for Christmas lights and music and cookies and hot chocolate with marshmallows. I’m thankful for opportunities to help some folks less fortunate than we are. I’m thankful for good health, good friends, good neighbors.
I’m thankful we’ll be able to visit with our son, his wife and their son ( our grandson) this Christmas.
I’m thankful we were able to watch a Getty Christmas concert on tv this past Sunday night. The intertwining of songs, scripture and poetry made a beautiful portrayal of the Christmas story. Malcolm Guite’s poem, “Refugee” pierced my heart. The words drew me closer to God. I’m thankful for a loving God.
Kristen, I hope you and your girls find peace in looking over all that’s happened in 2022 and I’m praying for all of you to maintain hope through whatever is to come in 2023. Joyful Christmas to you!!
Great job on your grades, Kristen! I am a Trauma/CCRN and cheering you on!
Thankful for the this blog.
For my freezers/full larder. The woodshed full of wood. My crafting skills to make do (hello, homemade foundation vents). Our crazy Aussie dog who thinks she is the boss of the cats...hilarious. Our wonderful rural neighbors, we take good care of each other.
Congrats on the grades, Kristen! You worked hard for them.
I'm thankful I didn't strangle either kid even though they richly deserved it. Christmas in the slammer is probably not that fun.
So glad this is my last day of work for a four-day weekend. I need a break.
Glad I had one more paid time off day left because the holiday lunch my friends and I have every year ended with my running to the restaurant bathroom at top speed to throw up. So yeah, mostly missed it.
Other BFF, not the sick one, is blanking me and I don't know why. Thankful to have other friends.
Wow, this really is one long moan but it's been a lousy week. But that's life, maaaaan. I so wish I had more time off.
@Rose, Aww, sounds like everything has come crashing down in one week. I wanted to jump in here to give you a virtual hug, and tell you that I always enjoy your shares - partially because you are so human and vulnerable and real, and trusting that this is a safe place to talk about difficult things. Know that you are appreciated for being exactly who you are! Big hugs
@ecoteri, Thanks. Then there's BFF. Her brother messaged me, "Be ready--it will be soon." sob.
I am so sorry. Sending you so much love (but no hugs bc I know you don't like those).
Wishing you, your family and all the FG readers a very merry Christmas!
This week's thankfuls are
For my husband and children
That the normally strained relationship with one of my siblings has been fairly relaxed in the past weeks
That my mother in law is still with us, at 92
That daylight is increasing again as of this week
That the sun felt quite warm again today when I was biking to the bakers
For a hairdresser who understands that I am not the person for foams, gels and fixative hairsprays
That we had two week's worth of healthy fruit and veg delivered to our door today
That our plus 10 year old cats are still playful and healthy, and very clearly feel comfortable in our company
For having a Christmas break, and doing the daily chores at a quieter pace and accompanied by my favorite CDs..
Congrats on your excellent grades! Wow! I’m grateful for Winter Break which starts today! The last 3 days of work (I’m a middle school teacher) this week were hard! I feel emotionally overwhelmed from it, but I’ll be okay. I’m grateful that we can see our sons for 3 days over Christmas; I’m grateful that we can go see the penguins at SeaWorld on Sunday or Monday; I’m grateful for the winter weather we’re going to get: daytime temps in the 40s and 50s! That is rare for this part of S Florida! I’m grateful for some good books I can read over Break! Happy Holidays, Kristen!
I almost didn’t read the comments today. Now I’m glad I did. It’s always uplifting! I’m thankful for:
1. Good doctor reports this week (cardio and rheumatologist)
2. A timely gift card to Outback which we used for our trip to the city for doctor appts
3. The weather…I love winter and don’t mind the dreary days at all
4. My wonderful hubby who fills in all the gaps that I can no longer do
5. My in-laws (nieces and their families). We won’t be seeing them this year as we usually do, but we’re planning a group Zoom with most of them on the evening of the 23rd. Ummm, we’re the hosts so I hope we can pull it off.)
Happy holidays everyone!!
Congrats on your stellar grades! I am glad kitty is okay.
This week I'm thankful that
* I have a warm house
* I got to work from home for a few days and that I'm off tomorrow when it's supposed to be our coldest day
* The final presents I ordered will be delivered today. Just have to get them wrapped and I am done!
* Someone in our community organized an adopt a stocking drive for our firefighters and police officers and all of the stockings were adopted. I'm thankful to be able adopt one to share a little holiday cheer and gratitude
* We will get to see our kids twice this weekend to celebrate Christmas
I am thankful that my husband and I are celebrating our 32nd Anniversary today. I am thankful that my youngest daughter is driving home today when the roads are mostly clear. I am thankful our small family will be together for Christmas. I am thankful that this month marks 11 years cancer free. I am thankful for our "zoo" of three cats and three dogs. I am thankful for a fantastic vacuum to keep our house from looking like we have a zoo. I am thankful that our snowfall is currently ahead of normal, to start making up for the last several years of below average snowfall. I am thankful that Jesus took on human flesh to take our punishment so we can live with Him eternally. I am thankful for a warm house, enough food, and the abundance to share our blessings with others. I am thankful for a good job, for our free country, for all who have given their lives to keep our country safe. I am thankful for Kristen and her blog that spreads cheer all year long. I am grateful that Kristen is sharing personal struggles, so that we can pray for you her. Kristen, you are handling your present situation with so much grace, and are a wonderful example of Christ's Love no matter what you are going through.
Awesome achievement with your grades! So impressed with you.
1) Grateful today is the last day of finals for my teen. We have one with ADHD, and it's truly such a struggle to juggle the assignments, studying, prep, etc. The gap between classes is such a gift, because we don't have to worry if anything is missing and/or, he's falling behind. Relaxing during the school year is hard!
2) That I get to see my family this weekend! I'm grateful my parents are still healthy, and that I get to see my nephews & sister, and that we are all very close. I feel really lucky that we enjoy each other.
3) My 15 y.o. & I got upgraded on our flight tonight. (My 16 y.0 and DH are a few rows back, as our reservation was split, to take advantage of a companion fare.) The 15 y.o. is coming straight to the airport from a soccer game, so we will appreciate the extra space & maybe even a free snack.
4) For cozy blankets, slippers, & fuzzy socks. While it's not east cost cold in CA, it's definitely colder than we normally get, and our house isn't terribly well insulated.
5) That I'm (almost) on vacation for a few days! Work has been super intense lately, and while I do have to work next week, it will be nice to get a break. I am on call, however, so fingers crossed that nothing goes wrong.
Your grades!! You are amazing, really.
Thankful for:
1. things that beep when they don't work. Last week I bragged on Katy's site about borrowing instead of buying a heater to keep my chickens even warmer than my one heater was keeping them at 40 below. Then a few days ago I started hearing a beep and searched all day for where it was coming from...until I let the dog out to pee and realized it was coming form the coop. The extra heater had tripped the circuit and the extra heater had died, but it was letting out dying beeps to alert us. The other heater, on a different plug, was fine but it really was too cold for the birds. So, they are now in the back room until it warms up to 20 below.
2. another beep, this time from my defibrillator. My heart birth defect has led to my heart stopping in the past, so the insurance company paid for one of those portable ones you see in airports, after open heart surgery could not fix the problem. It has a battery that starts beeping really loud when it is starting to die, and the same day as the coop alert, my defibrillator got my attention.
3. watchful neighbors. The husband drove into the garage, come in and forgot to close the garage door. It was 42 below so could have led to a freezing pipe catastrophe, were it not for the neighbor walking her dog coming to knock on the door to ask if we really meant for the garage door to be open. I wanted to kiss her, honestly, she saved us thousands.
4. our mailman and newspaper delivery woman who soldier on in spite of the temperatures, and always with a smile. We give each of them a gift card and an effusive card of thanks.
5. my husband's singing quartet. These guys are all about the same age and two of them are widowers. They all check in with each other and give the one who doesn't see well rides and just act like a support group. When I was in the hospital they offered emotional support and practical support like dog watching. Honestly, it gives me a sense of peace to know that if I die before my husband they will be there to help pick up the pieces.
I hope all the people I have come to know on this list through their postings have a good holiday season. Some days you all have made me feel less alone in my frugality.
@Lindsey, you, Kristen, and everyone else on The FG have made me feel less alone, generally. I wish you all a Happy Chanukah, a Blessed Winter Solstice, a Merry Christmas, a Rockin' Kwanzaa, and a Happy New Year (fingers and toes crossed for 2023).
Congratulations on your grades! Like most everyone else I am thankful for a warm home; family & friends; errands completed before the “weather Armageddon” hits later this evening; our Savior’s birth; the “magic” of Christmas; and time that the winter season provides to rest & prepare for renewal come Spring. May you all be blessed this week!
I second being thankful for blueberry pancakes...my favorite!
Also, thank this week for...
1. My regular doctor. She has the best bedside manner and takes the time to speak with me. She is also thoughtful about prescribing things, doesn't just throw a pill at you. Makes you feel like a partner in care.
2. It's compote season! Every Christmas my mom would make a fruit compote with apricots, figs, prunes, lemons, raisins, and cinnamon sticks. Now that she's passed, I make it. It's soooooo good!
3. The staff at our favorite diner. They are the best and treat us like family.
4. Book, always thankful for books. I've been temporarily housebound and books help me pass the time when I am not working remotely.
5. Friends who check in on me.
I guess I'm thankful that when I was 15 and 16 I spent a few summer weeks in the Appalachian and Smokey Mountains. I fell in love with the mountains, the people, the food, the music...everything. All my adult life I've been providing a much different life than this to the others around me. Now that I get to carve out whatever I want, those simple ways are what I'm drawn to. And in these troubling financial and emotional times it is a relief to unburden myself of all the higher expectation of modern mayhem. lol
*sings a little ditty and shashays around*
I think it's normal to be exhausted after your long semester, especially with all you have going on in your personal life. I hope you have a wonderful break.
I'm thankful so many friends, relatives, and neighbors have received good news. The daughter of a long time neighbor is moving back to the area with her husband and he has secured a good job and they were able to sell their house in CT. My SIL's daughter is moving back to CT, from VA, with her husband and they found a house to buy (pending contingencies). A friend found a one level apartment to move to, that accepts cats, and sold her multi-level townhouse. My nephew flew into Minneapolis yesterday and my sister was able to drive them to their home, 1-1/2 hours away, before the weather caused much impact.
I'm thankful we got an early morning walk in today. It has been cold and wet since then. I did talk friends into not skipping a get together this morning. I learned the term Flash Freeze this week and I guess we'll see tomorrow if we experience one.
I'm thankful the USPS is working relatively well this year. Two years ago it was a mess and mail was lost for weeks and months. I'm also thankful for the Charles Schulz (Peanuts) stamps I was able to order. I don't send much these days so they should last a while. I'm also thankful that it's been quite a while since I received return address stickers in the mail. I have shredded so many over the years.
I'm thankful for Covid vaccines, they make it so much safer to be out in the world than what we were facing two years ago. I'm also thankful that everyone I know that has had Covid lately has recovered.
I am thankful for a warm house (our oil tank is half full) and the ability to stay home tomorrow if the weather dictates that we should.
GAH yes, I felt like I made eleventy-twelve stops yesterday and am still not done. I did however, find some Santa jammies for my son who turns 1 today at a consignment shop. This made me so happy!
I am thankful for the sunshine coming in my door( yes, I live in AZ) where I have my cinnamon swirl bread rising. Thankful for the recipe from you that I have made multiple times this winter. And even though grocery shopping is not my favorite task, I am thankful that I could buy food this morning for Christmas.
Congrats on the grades. You did exceptionally well!
Merry Christmas!
right at this moment, I really only have one thing I am grateful for! i'm 76 and still in decent shape and get up in the mornings. Thankful for that
Good job in school. Do you have any classes to take this next semester?
I am on "vacation" for 2 weeks. I only work 1-2 days a week, but I don't have to go at all for 2 weeks.
I can help my kids.
My visit with my sister-in-law today.
My library. I have borrowed several videos and books to cover the next week. I don't know if we will have a Christmas celebration. We are planning on it; but so many of my friends have some sort of illness this week. Will it get here? Who knows? I'll work hard to stay well. And I also own a copy of a zentangle book, so I can do art too.
Christmas is paid--Except for what I bought today to complete my shopping.
My 19 year old daughter had a stroke during her first semester of nursing school. She fully recovered and graduated 4 years ago this month. I feel ya on not wanting to get behind. You've got this!
Congratulations on your hard-earned grades. I hope you are able to enjoy the season and get some much needed rest.
I am thankful that my daughter is home for 8 days. Just having her home is lifting my spirits. I have felt a little “grinch like” this year.
I am happy that yesterday was the winter solstice. Now the days will start to get a bit longer. I am not at my most productive when it gets dark early. I want to crawl into bed at 8:00pm.
I am thankful for my beautiful family. I love watching my son with his 6-month old baby. His face just lights up with the love he has for that little guy.
I am grateful for Rescue Pup. I lost my last dog in March of 2020 just as the world was closing down for Covid. Six-months later I started looking for another dog. Dogs were very hard to find then and I drove 4 hours to be bring her home. It was a good decision. She has added so much to our lives.
Wishing everyone the blessings of the season !
Congratulations on your impressive grades!!!!
I'm thankful your chem grade turned out so well. Absolutely my least favorite class ever. Well, maybe calculus.
Thankful for heat during this polar freeze, even here in Lousiana.
Thankful for LOTS of satsumas to eat that we just took off the trees.
So thankful to be through Christmas shopping.
And thankful for discovering a very prolific author whose books I'm enjoying.
All those A’s are very impressive!
- It’s going to get down to -8 tonight with 40-50mph wind gusts. I’m extremely grateful we replaced our dying furnace last month! Having a warm home to shelter in place is an amazing blessing.
- I’m very grateful we can provide for our children, especially at Christmas.
- I’m thankful I had my errands done early and filled my fridge with food before the bad weather came in.
- I’m also very thankful that my dad had safe travels to be with my sister and her kids this Christmas.
I am also thankful for this nice warm home during this nasty snap.
That my 2 youngest girls really help each other when a problem appears.
My husband ,he never complains about being my caretaker. He complains about everything else but never me.
My granddaughter and her willingness to share her daughter. We delight in her
My faith ,it gotten me through some rough times
Now that's a report card to be proud of! Congratsies!
This week I am thankful for my new job. I had an overlap period with the retiring teacher which we jokingly referred to as the interregnum. It was incredibly valuable so that I could get to know the students and staff but also a bit awkward at times as I didn't want to intrude upon her moments. It was also very overwhelming because this teacher is clearly one of those hub people who has connections to lots of others and she had been at this school for 23 years! I got to very rapidly get to know (what seemed like) all 137 of my new coworkers, but half the time they were sobbing and there was always someone popping in! It was honestly pretty stressful especially this last week, and I'm so thankful I made it through gracefully. I am also thankful that I get an eleven day break before I officially take over so I get some time to process all I learned. It's a sign of how weary I am that when my husband joked that it is like I am taking over Kevin Bacon's classroom, I had to stop and think for a second about who Kevin Bacon is... Anyway, I'm both grateful and exhausted, because you can be two things at once!
I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season, and Kristen, I especially hope good things are on your horizon in 2023!
Thankful for:
1. A week without deadlines
2. A hardworking husband who keeps the wood stove going with wood he gathers year around
3. My husband's help to complete a cool yard project today
4. A local library where I can have books delivered from libraries all over the area
5. A fun relationship with my older sister, texting about projects, books, Mom, bargains found online, silliness.
Congrats on your grades!
1. Thankful to have Christmas shopping done.
2. Thankful to have bought a lot of Christmas gifts on sale.
3. Thankful to donate some clothes that were too big on me and 2 rolls of Christmas wrapping paper that I really, really didn't like to my Goodwill.
4. Thankful that hubby and I were able to sing happy birthday to our son during his time zone in Singapore even though it was a day early.
5. Thankful to have hubby home for most of this week to do errands and grocery shopping.
Thinking of you, Kristen, and I hope your days get better and that Christmas is good and not too hard.
We’ve had a big dump of snow, which nobody on Vancouver Island is used to. I’m thankful that my little, elderly car has turned out to be quite decent in it, and grateful for my 26 years of hardcore winter driving experience in Alberta and Newfoundland.
I’m thankful my Christmas shopping is almost all done. The weather hasn’t been conducive to it, and it’s supposed to get worse tomorrow.
I had a great week taking care of various grandchildren. It’s been a pleasure to do crafts with them, read books from my children’s Christmas book collection, and listen to their delighted squealing outside in the snow. As always, I’m thankful for my grandchildren and the strong relationships I have with them.
I’m thankful that the creative bug has found me again. I’ve made several gifts, and have been enjoying the process.
I’m so, so grateful we’ve been making a bit more money than in recent years. Inflation is scary, and I’ve definitely overspent lately. However I did have the money. After quite a few lean Christmases, it’s been a pleasure to splurge a little on those I love. I don’t begrudge it, just am acutely aware that I need to reel it in again.
Merry Christmas and happy holidays to everyone!
Congrats on such an amazing semester, Kristen! Also praying for comfort.
This week I'm thankful
....for people in my small group who know how I'm feeling this Christmas. I'm not alone, which is so comforting.
....for my husband, who comforts me when I have a tough hour/day of mourning my parents.
....that I was able (I think?) to finish shopping a couple days before Christmas. This past Sunday I was still ordering gifts online, ouch. Thankfully the last gift I ordered this way will be delivered today. I hope. Haha.
....that I was able to get an urgent care appointment for this afternoon. I've been limping around for weeks, so it's definitely time to get my ankle checked out.
.....that I have a grocery store so close to my home. It's not the cheapest, but man, its so convenient. And, as Kristen has said a few times, even an "expensive" meal at home if still cheaper than a restaurant meal. And during a rough time, just getting food in the house is a major accomplishment for me.
....for a friend who joined me in doing some shopping earlier this week. Together we made progress!
That kitty is fabulous, I love her and don't even know her! This week I am especially thankful that my knee issue seems to be mostly resolved, for my warm house on cold mornings, for my job which is stressful but rewarding, and for friends at work. Never underestimate the power of a social network in hard times!
thankful for...
* Having been able to leave yesterday instead of today to avoid the storm coming (7h drive). Because I couldn't work today (sick) and because the kids school closed down. But still very grateful to have made the trip safely
* For having lost my voice now. Not happy about the voice, but because of Christmas break at least I'll have the opportunity to rest it and get better for the next 5 days before having to go back to work (if I'm ok by then)
* For (usually) having a voice! I lost it for a whole month in 2020 and it felt very isolating (and scary) to not be able to communicate "normally". I got to filter a lot and stick to the important stuff since writing it all got annoying. I hope it comes back faster this time around!!!
* For a relax Christmas. We are visiting the in-laws. They live in a small village with not much to do, so the next 4 days will be board games, reading, chilling and eating good food. Nice!
* To have family to spend Christmas with. I used to hate Christmas, I felt very lonely and depressed around that time of the year.... Since having kids it took another meaning and now I like it.
Merry Christmas to all!
I am thankful for on line meditations. Wonderful to go to sleep listening to "Om So Hum."
So glad your little kitty will be okay! That is stressful. Our cats have occasionally had a random limp like that - seems like with all the running and jumping they do, sometimes they can over do it. But it's always worrisome when it pops up!!
Last week, our pup was in an office that looked just like that. Alas, we were there to put her down, because she had an inoperable tumor and a host of other age-related problems. Though not unexpected, it was so hard! I am glad your adorable kitty is going to be okay.
P.S. Remind what your cat's name is? I can't remember! She is soooo cute.
I'm late to being thankful this week! Ooops
Thankful that I had 2 unexpected days off (weather related school closings) and I was grateful to have the time and space to squeeze in errands and exercise and reading.
Thankful that my grown daughter has gotten a new job that she is over the moon excited about, the job she had was crushing her spirit and she anticipated that she'd have to stay in it for 2 years as promised. Well, it worked out that she could leave, had an excellent offer and a raise to move on to a more suitable position to her skills. Grateful!
Thankful for a warm house filled with simple food and distractions to stay safe and cozy despite the challenging weather.
Thankful for family I have and the friends that are in my life. I plan on a few social lunches out to spend time with them this week off from school.
Coffee!
Your blog is my real pick me up this past year and a half.We’re having struggles with our sick grown son who had to move in with us. So much in our lives has changed and I have some rough weeks that’s for sure.Reading of how YOU manage your personal challenges, and school, and your kids and your life… , and and and.. gives me faith,courage and hope. I also do a gratitude journal every day and yes it helps. Thank you for reminding us to find the Joys in the midst of the troubles and.. seeing how you keep BUSY and have personal goals to meet..this is helping me figure out how to do better for 2023.. HAPPY CHRISTMAS and thanks for sharing it all; the ups,downs and the recipes!!! AND CONGRATS ON THOSE AWESOME SCHOOL GRADES! WOO HOO NURSING SCHOOL HERE YOU COME!!
That's a tough road to walk...being a caregiver. And you don't tend to expect that you will be doing that for an adult child, so I can imagine things feel topsy-turvy for you.
Thank you for all the encouragement!