Thankful Thursday | the feeling-better edition
This week, I am thankful:
that my digestive system is feeling better
Whatever bug I had (I don't think it was cyclosporiasis) was slow-moving, and it's taken a while to get back to anything resembling normal.
I still don't feel like my appetite is quite back to the usual, actually. But I am heading in the correct direction, albeit at a snail's pace.
that my sickness hit on some days off
I started to feel really terrible right at the end of my third shift, which was actually good timing because then I was able to get through the sickness on my days off.
No need to use my sick hours and no need to call out.
that it is easier to be sick at this stage of my life
When my kids were all little and needed me more, I could not exactly spend two days on the couch.
But since Zoe is the only one left here, and she's self-sufficient, I actually did spend two sick days on the couch! And nothing terrible happened.
that I felt good enough to exercise the last few days
I went for a three-mile walk in the woods this week, and I got in two gym workouts, so that's better than last week!
that this class is halfway done
This is week 4/8, and I finished my homework for this week. Which means week four is over in my book. 😉
Four more weeks left in this class, and four more weeks until I go part-time at work! Yay!
that there are only about five weeks left until September
Weather here does not magically get better in September, but it does start to improve a little. So, I'm looking forward to September with hope.
(To those of you who adore sweltering weather: I wish you so much joy and delight these next five weeks, but I will not be remotely sad to wave goodbye to summer!)
that I have nearly made it through my first year of nursing
I have repeatedly heard that the first year is the toughest and that you start to feel more competent after that, so yay me for making it through my most incompetent year. 😉
It's weird...I have learned so, so much over the past year, but I still routinely feel like there is so much I do not know.
Maybe by year two I will feel less like that. Or maybe that's just always how you feel as a nurse!
I'm SO glad you're feeling better. And this post brought back memories of literally crawling across the floor to prep my little kids breakfast one time when I was violently ill. It is hard to be sick when you have small kids because their needs do not stop.
I'll admit I am very thankful I'm at the place in life where if I get sick, my kids can mostly fend for themselves!
And yay for walks. I have been terrible about organizing walk-and-talks lately, but we need to fit one in soon!!!
Yes, being a sick mom of littles is SO freaking hard! Especially if they are sick at the same time too.
It's kind of a moot point right now, but this is honestly one of the things which gives me second thoughts about having kids 😉
I remember one time better half and I both either got food poisoning or a 24 hour bug. The blessing of having grandparents in the area (talking 20 minute drive) - kiddo was picked up by my folks and better half and I spent the day getting better. That is the only time both of us were sick.
Yes, summer is slowly taking a turn toward fall. It has been so dry in the past weeks that we have few flowers blossoming at the moment, a real shame. But I enjoy longer evenings and the better sleep that they bring. And the day before yesterday I heard the first gaggle of migrating geese, the sound made me wistful. The swimming pond is beautiful this time of year, because of the mist hovering above the water.
My thankfuls this week
For the abundance of fruit and vegetables this time of year
For lower temperatures
For financial stability in our life
For cafeine-free tea and coffee - no more lying awake!
For homemade yoghurt. I really like the taste and thickness of the yoghurt I make
For the birds drinking from my water basin and the frogs hiding in my water basin.
For comfortable clothes with a percentage of stretch!
This week I am thankful:
* for a break in the heat. Yesterday's weather was delightful and today is looking like it'll be the same.
* for time with my best friend that moved away. We took our kids to the zoo yesterday (thankfully she's not too far to give up her zoo membership) and it was like how things used to be. Plus, she had a baby a month and a half ago and I got to snuggle it the whole time... carrying her in my arms until lunch, then wearing her in a baby carrier after lunch. It's been a while since I've worn a baby and it was wonderful! New babies are the best.
* that my son is still so sweet. He turned 10 this week and I know that gross teenage boy years may be ahead, but he's such a sweet kid right now and I am treasuring it. It was fun to see how happy he was with his birthday gifts.
* that my kids are all getting along really well this week! Not something to take for granted this far into summer break.
* for hot coffee on this cool morning. And that I've been getting to take more walks now that the weather is nicer.
Hoping for plenty of sweet teenage boy years ahead for you!
Two of my favorite things about my 45 year nursing career were that there was flexibility in hours and days worked and I was always learning. My family always came first so I worked many different shift/day combinations. And as a retired nurse I am still learning. Treating a granddaughter's foot wound, I am using products new to me. And I recently diagnosed/advised on issues two friends had using pictures they sent! Congrats on your continued growth in skills and knowledge Kristen.
chiquita is thankful you fixed her mouse. i am thankful for you. thankful you answered my question about the sick days. i figured it was too nosy a question. thankful there re lots of chiquita photos in the posts. would love to see a shelley pic.
glad you are feeling better. what a relief.
And, Anita, we're thankful for you and hope that your various problems at home may get better. Hang in there.
thank you for your kindness. am hanging in.
How are you and Zozo doing, Anita? (You don't have to answer if you don't want to; I'm concerned but not being nosy.) I've been thinking about you these last few days and hope things are getting better.
we are hanging in there. thanks so much for asking. zozo starts college 8/28. such a miracle. we are so blessed. she will be studying marketing. when i checked a job site for marketing jobs there were 200 of them. fingers crossed and toes and everything else.
Yes, the feeling of being able to actually BE SICK without having to care for littles is incredible - bonus points if those children actually help take care of you!!
I have heard before that one doesn't get fully integrated/trained in a job role until year 3, and have found that to be true in my case. Year one hair on fire, year 2 getting better but still "new" and more depth to learn, year 3 really find the footing. In a vocation role like nursing or teaching, your best practice will always be growing and evolving!
Quick thankfuls before my phone dies -
For a cool morning with the windows open, birds singing. For coffee. I didn't drink it fot a while and started again and man is it such a joy.
For enough clothing and the resources to get more (having hard time with closet so this is a mindset in progress).
For a fun trivia night with friends.
I am thankful for this blog and a few others I follow;
That my DH is so happy anticipating a road trip in his beloved car;
That my friends are celebrating my birthday this weekend;
That my truly awful heat rash is getting better;
That our rescued cat is so affectionate, she is a lovely greeter every morning!
Thankful:
-- that I'm back behind the wheel! I missed the independence that comes with driving
-- for family and friends who drove me to appointments, physical therapy, etc. over the last three months
-- that I can now contribute more to household tasks, like grocery shopping
-- that I no longer need the commode frame over the toilet, although I now think all toilets are too low, even our taller one
-- that I learned full* recovery will take at least another 6 months. This helped set my expectations. (Full being where my knee works the way it used to without any pain, no swelling, etc.)
thanks for the mention of pineapple coconut bars at tj's. got them yesterday. but i don't taste the coconut just the pineapple. i like them anyway.
Yes, more pineapple-y. Glad you're enjoying them! It's going to be over 90 degrees in a couple days so I'll be sure to have more then.
MB, I'm glad you can drive again. And I'm not too surprised about the full recovery date for your knee. I found that it took a full year after my partial knee replacement in 2012 before I felt I was really back up to speed. Let's face it: The human knee, like most of the rest of the human body, was designed for a much shorter average lifespan than we have today.
I just have to share that I'm now seeing an ad for the most ridiculous product after I mentioned low toilets! https://takeletloose.com/products/sh-t-shoes
Just had a look at the shoes - wow, words fail me.
And £65.00 for a pair!
Wow, just wow.
I am thankful that my internet service came back on and I can cancel the scheduled tech appointment -- which wasn't going to happen till next week.
I am thankful that I got to see my grandson in action as a line cook at an upscale Mexican restaurant, and taste his creation. And that my son treated me. Also for the chance to visit with my son and DIL.
I am thankful for cooler weather, however long it lasts.
I am thankful that I'm catching up on sleep and feeling better.
I am thankful that the Canadian smoke has cleared out.
I love all the different parts of your restaurant visit!
First, Kristen, your first year of nursing may have been your "most incompetent year," but I think you're redefining "competence" even in this year, and you're gonna blow it out of the water from here on!
Today, I'm thankful for a lovely cool sunny day and the opportunity to spend most of it outdoors. (My "Wonder James" is coming later to paint one of my sheds, and I have to be here to let him into the basement to get at the paint.) So I'm harvesting herbs and pulling weeds to beat the band.
And a note of caution to Jody S. and others who have expressed interest in redroot pigweed: Don't let it get too big. I had to yank out a few overgrown specimens just now, and I had to get out my sturdiest trowel; the roots went halfway to the center of the earth!
LOL! Ours were too big, but my son took care of the big ones. We're also going with the weed-whacking option sometimes. Gardening has not been a big priority for me this summer, but I have been encouraged this week by our first few (and too large) zucchini.
Oh, those years of sick littles! I know there were times when I wondered exactly how little sleep I could get and still manage to function well enough to dump vomit buckets. This week I am thankful:
*for those first (too big) zucchinis. Our garden year has been weird. I think part of it is that I'm not being very disciplined with my time. Yet seeds still grow when the rain falls, and I'm thankful that we've been blessed with frequent rain so far because the last couple of years have been quite dry.
*for my husband who is grilling things this week. First it was steaks and zucchini. Today it will be chicken and more zucchini. I really like food grilled over charcoal. I also really like my husband and am thankful for him.
*that my new pilot son is planning on taking me up with him tomorrow. I hope the weather is just right!
*for kind people stepping up to help an elderly member of our congregation whose closer family just isn't bothering.
*that a book I just finished made more sense at the end. Spending all the time on a pointless book would have frustrated me.
*for the piano playing I hear filtering up from the basement many times a day. I like that the piano students are inserting favorite hymns in their daily practice.
*that there were no cavities at two kids' dentist appointments, for the challenge of running out of all purpose flour until next week (I've been getting in a cooking rut of late), for a beautiful evening to walk, for the silly kitties who ambush us outside, for the silly kids who ambush me with teasing, for an impromptu lunch get-together with friends, for more-than-helpful children, for pretty flowers growing outside, and that perimenopause isn't forever.
Have an enjoyable and safe flight with your son!
How exciting, Jody S! Sending good flight vibes and I can’t wait to hear about it.
Up, up, and away with your pilot son, we hope! Let us know how it goes.
Congratulations to your son and enjoy the flight! What was the book?
The Man Who Was Thursday by G. K. Chesterton
Thanks. I have mixed feelings about G.K. Chesterton!
This was my first Chesterton read.
Get well stat, Kristen. Hope you're feeling better.
1. My friend was able to drive me to/from the oral surgery. Others were on standby in case she couldn't make it that day.
2. Was able to easily pay for the procedure.
3.Tooth pulled, it's over, I'm healing. No one can see it because that tooth was in the very back of my mouth.
4. Blue Bell Ice cream and ice packs and pain meds.
5. Getting my west window insulated today -- so maybe the bedroom won't feel like an oven.
Lisa, I'm starting to wonder about this Blue Bell ice cream. My personal standard for ice cream is the Mayfield Dairy brand I grew up on in TN (https://www.mayfielddairy.com/), and the Purity brand here in Central NY has a lot of fans (https://www.purityicecream.com/). And I'll bet that a lot of us still have regional ice cream loyalties, despite corporate takeovers and other horrors. Thoughts, everyone?
A. Marie-I grew up in TN too, and I love Mayfield!! Living in TX now, I have to say that Blue Bell is pretty great, but I don't buy it often because it is pricey. I also love Ben and Jerry's Cherry Garcia, but again, don't buy it very often now.
I’m glad you’re starting to feel better! This week I am thankful for the ability to garden at almost my normal pace. My two goals this year were/are to rebuild my health and recover my garden. I am steadily making progress towards both of them. I’m also very thankful for my doctor who always listens to me and orders me almost every test I request. I know (from dealing with lots of other doctors lately) that it is relatively rare to get the care you need without having to argue for it. Argue, I can definitely do, but it can get wearying and hard to fight when you’re not feeling well.
This week I am thankful:
* that things at work are getting less stressful and that my boss told me to take a breath and remember that it all pays the same whether I'm productive or not
* for a fabulous and fun dinner with ladies that I've been friends with for decades. Time spent catching up and laughing with them was just what I needed for my mental health
* for having lunch with a former co-worker
* that both our adult kids live close by, so we see them often. They both came by for brunch last weekend to celebrate my husband's birthday. It was also heartwarming to hear our 2-year-old grandson sing Happy Birthday to his Papa
Thankfuls:
- For a decent customer service rep. at my phone company. I have a landline phone. For the last few years, I have been given a home phone promo of -$5.00. I decided to advocate for myself and ask for a better credit. I explained to her that we are long time users of this phone company, my HB's family even going back at least 100 years. I was very sweet and kind to her. She offered me an $18.00 monthly credit! I thanked her and wished her an awesome day. Being sweet and kind gets things done. (This credit expires in a year, and so every year I have to call in and ask for a credit/ home phone promo).
- For the portable radio in my kitchen. HB built a battery pack for it, so I can move the radio around (outside) as needed. Every so often (once every 3 months?) the battery pack needs to be charged up. I love this. I listen to a favourite radio station / music while I cook and do the dishes (continuously!!).
- For a fairly quick emergency visit. HB was having pain in his hip to the point that he couldn't even walk, the pain was so bad (after 2 weeks). Our Doctor told him to go to the hospital emergency. Long story short, he was given a cortisone shot in his hip, it took about 3 days to take full effect. We were in and out of emerg in LESS than 3 hours!
- During HB's 2 weeks of pain, I had gone to the thrift store and found a very sturdy, metal, adjustable walking stick. It proved to be very helpful in HB getting around, albeit very slowly. When I paid for it, I did not have to pay any tax on it as it was labelled as a "medical device". This was a delightful surprise to me.
- For the "SIL" wildflowers that are growing so beautifully. When HB's sister passed away a year ago, her daughters gave all the guests at the Celebration of Life a packet with SILs photo on it and a little poem, each packet containing wildflower seeds. So I am very happy that the wildflowers in a pot are now flowering, including orange Zinnias which were her favourite flower.
Yay for your first one, Linda! Like WilliamB says, it never hurts to ask (or words along those lines).
The seed packets at the Celebration of Life were a lovely idea. I attended one myself a year ago, at which my friend's DH and children had laid out some of the friend's extensive costume jewelry collection and encouraged attendees to take some. I didn't, as I'm not into jewelry, but I thought it was a great idea.
Not only am I thankful that my son is old enough to fend for himself when I’m sick, but he’s able to take care of some things when he’s sick too. He needed a stool sample to diagnose his recent stomach bugs and I didn’t have to do anything with the take home test, he handled it all. I’m glad to hear you are feeling better and that you had time to rest (a luxury as a mom!)
This week’s thankfuls….
• My grandma was moved into memory care and really likes her new room. My dad was debating what pieces of furniture or what items to move for her (the space is smaller) and I was able to tell him which were her favorites and why.
• I enjoyed my Christmas gift from my husband! He bought tickets to a show that took place last week and it was 100 times better than I could have imagined.
• My son had an amazing USA Cup experience! He played teams from Norway, Iceland, and Trinidad and Tobago! His team came in second for his age group.
• The smoke from the wildfires isn’t as bad as last week. All activities were cancelled because of air quality and it was hard to see down the block.
• My best friend stepped in as “sidelines mom” while I was away. Her son was playing in the tournament as well so it was easy for her to be at both boys’ games. I didn’t even ask, my dad was filling in but she told him to stay home out of the heat and bad air.
I'm glad you're feeling better. I was concerned it was the lettuce sickness. We are staying away from lettuce for now, of course. But unfortunately, our garden lettuce died in the heat.
I'm so thrilled for you to be near completi your fitst year of nursing. I know you are proud of your accomplishments and journey. You've been brave and inspirational. I've mentioned before that I was married twice before my current ( and last) 31-year marriage. Those first two marriages and their endings taught me what I didn't want in marriages, how to be tough and independent.
I'm so thankful this week for air conditioning. The heat index here in North Little Rock reached 114° the other day! Our air conditioner was having trouble keeping up so I turned it up and return the ceiling fans open notch and we're comfortable. They say you can't expect your air conditioner to keep your home more than 20° cooler than the outside temperature and that's why it was struggling. It's been cool for a day or two but not the heat is coming back.
I'm thankful for my husband who's been working out in the yard to make changes in the landscaping and it's beautiful. He's been working in this heat like a dog even though I've told him it doesn't have to be done now.
I'm thankful for new friends. It's harder to make friends as you get older. And when you retire, you are out of circulation with work friends. I keep busy at the senior center and a library fiber arts group. I've made new friends in both places. And I've read that having hobbies and human connections is important for healthy aging.
Have a great rest of the week.
I am grateful for all the kind posts yesterday.
I am grateful that I have resources that allow me a big cushion in this period of overwhelm. Now I need to take comfort from them in a judicious fashion.
I'm glad you're feeling better. I was concerned it was the lettuce sickness. We are staying away in from lettuce, of course. Unfortunately, our garden lettuce died in the heat.
I'm so thrilled for you to be near completing your fitst year of nursing. I know you are proud of your accomplishments and journey. You've been brave and inspirational. I've mentioned before that I was married twice before my current ( and last) 31-year marriage. Those first two marriages and their endings taught me what I didn't want in marriages, how to be tough and independent.
I'm so thankful this week for air conditioning. The heat index here in North Little Rock reached 114° the other day! Our air conditioner was having trouble keeping up so I turned it up and return the ceiling fans open notch and we're comfortable. They say you can't expect your air conditioner to keep your home more than 20° cooler than the outside temperature and that's why it was struggling. It's been cool for a day or two but not the heat is coming back.
I'm thankful for my husband who's been working out in the yard to make changes in the landscaping and it's beautiful. He's been working in this heat like a dog even though I've told him it doesn't have to be done now.
I'm thankful for new friends. It's harder to make friends as you get older. And when you retire, you are out of circulation with work friends. I keep busy at the senior center and a library fiber arts group. I've made new friends in both places. And I've read that having hobbies and human connections is important for healthy aging.
Have a great rest of the week.
It’s pretty impressive that you were able to do a 3-miler so close to being sick, plus able to do 2 gym workouts. That is a testament to your overall fitness and discipline.
Could you enlighten us as to why you have a plan to work part-time? My guess is that your blog is providing enough income, that you want to be free to travel a bit and enjoy a life that doesn’t revolve around work. But it is puzzling that you’d choose to go part-time so soon after completing a long difficult haul through school, including this last year of annoying busy-work classes.
The more you know, the more you will realize you don't know! This is the mark of a curious and safe clinician - making it through the first year is definitely the hardest! CHEERS TO YOU!!!!!
This week I am thankful that:
-The weather has been in the 80s (as opposed to 90s). I also hate the heat.
-That I was able to complete Week 6 Day 2 (again) on my run this morning. I took an extra day off and was slightly worried, between that and the heat, that I wasn't going to make it.
-That I have a volunteer shift this afternoon (and next Tuesday) w/ an organization I volunteer regularly with. It is pretty competitive to get shifts. If you miss the e-mail for the month, you likely don't get one and have to wait for the next month.
Glad you are on the mend!
Things I'm thankful for this week
-Foot infection is clearing up well, no further urgent care visits
-Have kicked off conversations/meetings with my company about my health driven "retirement". Feel very supported
-DS19 is living his best life, and is an adventurer at heart. Very happy he has friends & locations to enjoy. He's on a camping/backpacking/climbing trip to Yosemite this week.
-Grateful for DH, who makes me laugh, even when I'm down
-Gorgeous weather this week
Glad you're on the upside of your GI issues.
I've had 7 hrs of sleep in the Las 72 hrs. Thank you to the 8 response companies who showed up for our too close for comfort wildfire 60 paces from my parent's ranch. The helicopter operator saved the day and our land. They two helis emptied 5 farm ponds fighting where trucks could not access.
Then yesterday we had 12 hours of thunder and lightning. At one point there were 25 lightning strike fires in 15 minutes. My son and 3 friends came to watch for pop up fires @ my parent's while I worked the emergency phone bank for the forestry dept. My shift ended at 2:30 this morning. We haven't had such an active storm front in 30 years. So thankful for the .33 inches of drenching rain!
We had 4 known strikes on the ranch and lost 2 big oak trees.
Praying for you all in the path of TS Bertha. I have friends and family in the Lake Charles, LA, Beaumont, TX and Houston area. Be safe!
Glad you are safe!
Oh my-so sorry you've had to go through all this!! What a scary time for all of you. I hope you can get caught up on your rest now-take good care. Amy
Just got back from coffee with my favorite niece--thankful for her friendship and for time together! And for lunch with a friend yesterday. And for my flexible work schedule. For support through some difficult life circumstances. And very very very thankful that the wildfire smoke is gone, at least for now.
As I sit in an airport waiting to fly home, I’m thankful we were able to fly to be with our daughter for her ordination as a priest and spend several days with her, her husband, and several of her college and seminary friends who also flew out. She lives a few thousand miles too far away for my liking, so these days were precious.
As someone with a late August birthday, I feel a little sad that so many people dislike summer, but I can sympathise with not enjoying heat!
I'm glad you're on the mend!
Thankfuls:
1. I'm cat-sitting for a friend and am enjoying staying in her flat for a few days. I've had a fun day exploring the town she lives in, visited a fantastic museum and, of course, I'm thankful to be looking after the cat who is currently purring beside me!
2. I had a fun day out with my parents this weekend at an archaeology event. It was a beautiful day as well!
3. I might be going to the beach tomorrow, which I've been missing lately.
4. I've been wanting to rewatch The West Wing (it was removed from the streaming service I use) and I found a DVD boxset of it in a charity shop 🙂
5. I'm thankful for a fun yoga class with a friend.
i love the west wing i only got to watch half of it before it was removed from where i was watching it. i watch it on netflix now. it is fun to see a young allison janey. she looks so different on diplomat, can't wait for season 4. i have a bunch of streaming services as we gave up cable about 10 years ago. i added apple cause i had to see morning show. i love reese witherspoon. her movie debut. (the man in the moon (1991) was not really an anita movie but i stayed with it and think she is an excellent actresss.
I’m so glad you’re feeling better! My girls are in older elementary and early middle school now, so luckily it’s a little easier for me to actually rest when I’m sick too.
A few things I’m grateful for this week:
• The break in the heat—80-degree days are such a relief after all those 90s and 100s!
• Finally getting my period after a 38-day cycle. I was definitely starting to worry!
• Sharing the things I loved growing up with my girls, like classic chick flicks and good books.
• Making avocado milkshakes with my oldest. It’s a nostalgic Vietnamese treat my mom made for us as kids, and I loved sharing that tradition with her.
• My amazing husband. He brought me a dress, got me my favorite breakfast pizza, and always reminds me how much he loves me. I’m feeling so blessed.
I am thankful for my dear friend who I talk with every Tuesday night. She lives where I used to live in NC, and we have kept this up for 2 1/2 years now, and it means a lot to both of us. I am also thankful for two other NC friends who I do Wordle with every day, also for the past 2 1/2 years.
Thankful for the two free ILL books I picked up at the library today, both with due dates that aren't too soon.
Thankful for some rain this afternoon-we are almost always in a drought here, so I don't get to smell that petrichor smell very often!
And this is sort of not a thankful, but I wanted to share that I am proud of myself for looking up the prices of the groceries I needed before I went to the store, and staying within the amount I could spend. I normally do pickup, but I was getting my mom's groceries, so I was going to be in the store for that.
So glad you are feeling better, Kristen!!
Amy, that is definitely something to be proud of!
I'm thankful for:
- A wonderful visit with a friend this week and a walk down memory lane. There is nothing quite like a 45 year friendship!
-The local farmer's market and fresh carrots that are better than candy.
-Local businesses that put on free events to strengthen the community in various ways.
- The opportunity to use my baking skills to bless a local camp. I get the fun of baking without having to consume all those calories.
- A local chiropractor who is helping my shoulder pain.
-Surviving and passing my first aid recertification. It isn't as easy being on my knees as it once was.
-A nice visit with my sister. We see each other often, but usually don't have a lot of time to just chat.
-Warm summer weather after a lot of cool weather.
I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who loathes summer. We are currently facing down another set of super hot days. *FROWNY FACE* I'm just getting through it a day at a time, and doing my best to notice and enjoy any of the little moments that are good (there have been many, surprisingly - I'll take it!). But man, I sure love fall and spring (and heck, even winter) more!!
I'm thankful that the central air conditioning is in. And that we can afford to pay the 0% interest loan over the next 7 years plus the possible rebates that will come in.
I'm thankful for the approvals to cover replacement of the windows and to add a generator (needed for husband). (Of course, I'll have to learn how to run it and maintain it.) And, I'm thankful that I have saved the money to pay these bills.
I'm thankful that I have stayed relatively healthy--it's important because I am now the head of the household, chief cook and bottle washer, maintenance (wo)man, delivery person
and I am thankful for my Monday morning walks in the woods with my "gang", who do help me to manage my week ahead.
I'm feeling thankful on a Saturday . . .
That I've been able to pick up a bunch of side hustles that are things I enjoy doing and continue to build my resume.
That I am still in the running for some prime jobs, all well-paying, and all in my city. I am an academic, so usually a good job means not making very much and having to either move or sign up for a crazy commute. I have turned to non-academic jobs, and some of them seem very interesting.
For a successful Vacation Bible School. It is exhausting, but I think it is so important for community-building to have a project where we all work together in a different context than the usual. And we had more kids than we have had since before COVID. It was great to get to know (and, again, build community) in our neighborhood and among families who are inconsistently part of our church.
For the time I have spent with the people I love most this summer. I went into this summer with low expectations. We hadn't planned any trips since I am on the job market, and I expected just a lot of stress and disappointment. (I am not in a good place emotionally with regard to my job situation.) But then I got a part time position that paid for me to attend a conference, so I got a home exchange and took the whole family. It was great! Also, our special needs daughter "graduated" from ABA. We are so proud of her. This summer might just turn out to be a good summer.
For our insurance agent who is helping us find a marketplace health insurance policy that is more affordable that I thought. How in the world did we find an insurance agent who is kind and honest? I don't know, but she is amazing.
I think its how you feel in almost any newish endeavor. I have been a Technologist for 32 years and I learn new things all of the time. Medicine and technology advances sometimes to the point of it being hard to keep up. Learning is lifelong. For that I am most thankful! (:
Yes! And it's not like I have to keep relearning the same things; once I learn it, I know it. But there are endless new things to know!