Thankful Thursday | the sun is coming out!
This week, I am thankful:
that the sun is coming out today!
(this gets a bigger font than the rest of the items because I am so happy about it.)
It has been raining here almost nonstop since last Friday...the hurricane leftovers just got stalled here for an unusually long time.
But today, the clouds promise to move out and we will actually see the sun again!
I am very pleased about this turn of events.
that a string of rainy days was the worst the hurricane delivered to us
I did not enjoy this long period of rain, but in the midst of my non-enjoyment, I realized that this was pretty small beans compared to the suffering of the people in Florida.
My house is not destroyed, so...I can't really complain about the rain tooooo much.
that the downed tree in my neighborhood hit zero houses
The string of rainy days was too much for a tree and it toppled. But it fell into an empty lot, and it took down no power lines.
That's pretty much the best-case scenario for a tree-downing.
that my microbiology lab is halfway done
This lab only counts as one credit, but my goodness, it is like having a whole 'nother class.
Happily, it does end a few weeks before the end of the semester, and we passed the halfway mark in lab this week. Yay!
for some banana perfection
There's a very narrow range of banana ripeness levels that I consider to be acceptable, and this week I ate about 4-5 bananas that were peak perfection.
This made my heart happy. A really good banana is a top-tier gustatory experience, in my opinion.
for our cat
You knew this had to be on here because it is every week. 😉
that I have now grasped orbital diagrams and electron configurations
I have my first chemistry exam this coming Tuesday, and I don't feel worried now about the electron orbital questions; I got through all the homework assignments on those topics, and it's making sense now.
And as soon as I get through this wavelength/frequency section, I can submit my homework assignment.
for my easy psychology class
My other three science classes are wearing me out, so I am endlessly grateful that developmental psychology has been very light on the work so far.
for the Quizlet app
I realized this week that there's an app for Quizlet, and I downloaded it.
So now when I have time to kill on my phone (like if I'm in line at the pharmacy) I can knock out a quick bit of microbiology review.
I understand that nurses have to understand chemical interactions to understand how drugs interact with the body and with each other and so on. But I am totally confused why nurses would need to understand this to the level of detail shown in the picture. Why on earth does a nurse need to know about the frequency of a photon in the yellow part of its visible range? Honestly it seems like they just included "a chemistry class" in the requirements without doing any sort of tailoring it to what nurses actually need.
Bizarre.
Believe me, I feel you on this. I understand why we had to do biology, of course. And I understand why we gotta go through microbiology, even though some of the detail we learn there is definitely not going to be necessary.
But the chemistry part is feeling rather pointless to me right now. Unnecessary suffering!
Happily, once I'm done with this semester and I start on the actual nursing program, pretty much everything I take will be actually, factually related to nursing.
I was looking at that also. Reminds me of some of the training I have to take at work, like radiation training. Please, just remind me of signage and proper personal protection. I don't care about all the types of radiation, what goes on with the molecules, the damage it can do to my body, and the types of shielding.
@Mary Ann, I think many of these classes are meant to address academic needs for a variety of majors. Annoying, but I understand why colleges and universities set it up that way.
@Kristen, I know it's been almost 30 years since I graduated from my BSN program, but I don't remember my chem classes being nearly this detailed. And my school was considered fairly difficult at the time. Maybe my memory is just faded, but you're rocking it!
@Kristen,
I graduated in 1994 and have been working for 28 years as an RN- in a cardiac step-down unit, in a large office practice, and now school health and I have never had to use my chemistry or biochemistry!!!!
@Michele, Kristen,
1982 grad here & have worked in many different settings as a nurse. I’ve used all of my knowledge from school, sometimes in surprising ways. Glad I have the foundation I have. I had a three year diploma nursing course with extensive clinical training at a hospital, and went back to school 20 years later for more psych-soc-addictions degree. It’s like kids saying “why do I have to take algebra, geometry, English… I’ll never use it”. Yes, adults use these all the time!
@Kris, yep, that's what I was going to say. It's a required course for multiple programs so needs to be much broader than just what you'll need for nursing. Also, if you choose to go further in nursing, for example nurse anesthetist, you'll need all the chemistry and science classes you can get. 😉
@Kirsty, I think it matters in understanding how basic science things work so later when you have to read medical journals and evaluate things you can make a more informed decision. For example, is “alkaline water” or essential oils or taking mega doses of vitamins going to actually work or is it just made up? If you have a basic knowledge of chemistry you can understand the science behind why these are not helpful. And later when you take toxicology and pharmacology you have to know chemistry. If you don’t know chemistry you won’t be able to understand pharmacology. Or even biology. In order to understand biology and biochemistry you have to understand chemistry. And to be fair “nursing chemistry” IS a totally different class than regular chemistry. At my school nursing chem was a single 4 credit class and regular chemistry for doctors/pharmacists/pt/it was two 5 credit classes. My dumb butt took the 10 credit version because I hadn’t figured out what I wanted to do yet.
As I've been taking these courses, I have realized that 75% of the health scams out there would fail if people had to take these college classes. Once you understand some basics about the science of biology, it's easy to see right through a lot of the gimmicks!
Like hyperbaric oxygen tanks (that dude known as The Liver King has one in his house). Unless you have a health issue, lying in a tank of 100% oxygen is literally going to do nothing for you because your lungs are already getting full saturation of oxygen from regular air.
@Kirsty, Personnally I think it's to weed-out candidates. I have learned that many universities classes are not very useful and that university is teaching us to ''thought it out'', get organized, juggle multiple classes with assignments and exams, so that it makes us the ''university type''.... I don't know if I'm making sense?
For example, I'm studying in social work right now and I have all those classes that I will probably never use (like, why do I have to learn ALL about the paradigms and concepts and ALL the different theories related to social work? I don't think it will be useful), so I have to cram all this info + deal with schedule+exams+classes, etc, with the intention of making me a productive person I guess, organized, able to deal with multiple demands, etc. Those who can't deal won't go on, so it's a weeding-out process. Employers will want to hire people who could thought it out, which is ''proven'' by a uni degree.
*** all that said with a much judgmental feel, I know. The thing is : I don't enjoy university. I am a very practical person and I hate having to sit throught 3 hours classes and listen to someone who just seems to be there to hear themselves talk. It a snoozefest. Uni is not needed to prove we are hard workers able to juggle many demands. I do it because I want the degree that will allow me to practice, period.
Ditto on the clear skies. Last night part of the moon and a planet were visible through the clearing clouds. This morning the sky was full of visible stars. I'm sure we needed the rain, I'm glad we did not suffer hurricane or tropical storm weather, I wish we could share some of of the rain with other parts of the country/planet, and I'm glad the rain has finally moved out.
I'm thankful that my friend, stuck in Florida, was able to fly home after a week of delays.
I'm thankful another friend, stuck in MD, was able to take the auto train back to FL after five days of delays. Her home was seemingly okay despite being between Sarasota and Fort Meyers.
I'm thankful a neighbor and I went together to the funeral home viewing of a former neighbor. It was nice to have company for such an event.
I'm thankful we have two grandkitties that I see for a short visit once or twice a week. The gray kitty is a love bug and loves any and all attention and is also very curious. The black kitty is more standoffish but expects me to give him treats when I come in the door and he has warmed up to me somewhat over the years.
I'm thankful for heat. It was cold in the house so I turned the heat on last week. I know some people are toughing it out but the furnace doesn't run that much this time of year so we have had the heat on for a week. We have also switched to wearing warmer clothing.
I learned something about gratitude exercises. Every since you started doing them, I've been playing along in my head even if I didn't post. And it didn't do me one darn bit of good, not even after several years.
Recently I learned that the point of the exercise is not to list things but to reconnect with the feeling they gave you.
So here are some:
- for my 60 lb dog, who is SO DARN EXCITED when I come home that he jumps in my lap and doesn't want to let me get up;
- for the man walking by my table who, when I spilled my drink, pulled some napkins from his pocket and said "Here you go" without breaking stride;
- for looking up from my home desk and seeing about 1500 books, all organized and standing up straight on their spines; makes me smile every time;
- for the condolences at work, especially the unexpected ones;
- for the unexpectedly large number of gift certificates, particularly from the (unexpected) group that gave me one to King Arthur Flour, because of the extra consideration in selecting an appropriate and fun gift.
Oh, interesting. So, you have to really sink into the feeling of the memory?
I also experience value in sharing joys with other people. Like, when something good happens to me, I want to tell people, like a friend or my parents. Something about sharing a joy seems to increase it exponentially for me.
@WilliamB, A King Arthur Flour gift card is an excellent gift indeed!
@WilliamB, That is an interesting insight, and definitely something I recognize now that you say it.
@WilliamB, Hi, can you explain more about the difference connecting with the feeling has made? Is it as simple as thinking about each item on your list for a few minutes? How can one tell when expressing gratitude doesn’t do a darn thing but connecting with the feeling does? Thanks for your interesting insights.
@Erika JS, I think it's more that any 'thing' can be a neutral whereas a feeling is a ... feeling, lol.
So like, I can be grateful that my room is painted (a painted room is a neutral), or I can be grateful that my room is painted and that the hard work paid off and a big chore is done and I can finally set up my space how I want it. It's easier to connect with those positive feelings and feel grateful for the positive feelings, not just the object.
Like I can be grateful for my cat (neutral), or I can be grateful how loving my cat is and how he's a good friend to me, etc. So you are grateful for the feelings inspired by whatever, not just the thing itself.
@Rachel, That’s a super explanation—thanks! Concrete examples always help me.
@Erika JS, Here's the example: I'm grateful that my mother's will was simple, easy to execute, and not unfair to anyone. But I don't get an emotional happy-dance from that. It's an intellectual appreciation (of a lack of additional hassle) rather an emotional feeling.
OTOH, looking my plentitude of books, organized and all immediately visible, knowing I have reading options no matter what my mood, gives me an emotional feeling. Similarly having 5 dictionaries, including 2 OEDs (the Shorter and the Compact), makes me happy by expressing my true -- intellectually geeky -- self.
@Erika JS, PS: those aren't all the books I own, either; another fact that meets my new Thankful Thursday criterion.
@WilliamB, I miss having piles of books everywhere. In my marital home, every room including kitchen, dining room, bathrooms, etc had bookcases in it. We had 18 floor to ceiling shelves, all filled, and other smaller bookcases. I had to downsize a lot.
@Rose, I'm so sorry to hear that! Downsizing anything that is meaningful is hard but I really feel it when the thing is one's library.
@WilliamB, Very helpful, thank you.
Also, mulling it all over, boiling the process down to one personal criterion makes it simpler therefore purer.
I am sorry about your mother. Books are my compass, and as Rose knows, downsizing hurts so that example works so well for me.
I am also grateful to see the sun. My yard needs fall cleanup badly and it has been too damp to bother.
I'm grateful for sick leave. My family and I have a cold that is so far not COVID, but I'm glad I have the leave to use if I can't tough it out.
Finally, I'm grateful that my husband and I were able to take out our ac units yesterday. The house is now warmer with the windows sealed but I'm also grateful that they kept us comfortable in the heat of summer.
Thankful that my back seems to be fine, and that I'm making a good recovery from the gum grafting thus far. I'm seeing my periodontist for a follow-up appointment on Tues. 10/11.
Thankful that I can now eat a few things besides soup. My grad school BFF's two soups (a leek/potato and a pumpkin/apple) were wonderful, but I'm ready for some solid--or at least solider--food.
Thankful that I got my rear in gear and attended the grand opening of the new Habitat for Humanity offices and ReStore, as noted on Tuesday. Not only do I now have a *much* better idea of which of DH's tools and equipment H4H might accept for donation, but I enjoyed my trip to an unfamiliar-to-me part of town.
And thankful that I've signed up for a "Junk in the Trunk" event at a local Episcopal church (in another unfamiliar part of town) on Saturday. You pay $15 and then hang out from 9 to 3 to sell everything you can haul over in your trunk. I've got about an Element hatchload of things that I was half-heartedly saving for a possible garage sale. This event could be a dud or a dream--but nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Yay that you are recovering well! And also yay for a more varied menu now.
@A. Marie,
I hope the Junk in the Trunk goes well! I'm looking at what to do with some of my husband's tools as well.
@A. Marie,
@A. Marie, I always enjoy your whimsical language. It always makes me giggle. Bestest neighbors, solider food. ;-D
@Kt,
Sigh…hit the post button too quickly! You should call and ask H4H if they will take all the tools. We had H4H do a pickup at my grandfather’s house & mentioned his workshop which we hadn’t gone through (due to an inordinate number of very large spiders). We asked if they would like to take a look - they took everything! (Except most of the spiders). One thing I’m learning more & more is ‘try not to make decisions for people’ (I love to be in control….it’s a work in progress.)
@A. Marie, I am so glad you are feeling better. Junk in the Trunk is such a great idea and I'd happily participate if one was happening here. Our garage is rapidly approaching "gonna have to hire a little dumpster" status. *sighs*
@Kt, perhaps you should have insisted that taking the spiders was part of the deal. 😀
@A. Marie,
Yay for the new H$H and ReStore near you! I always like poking around in those stores...I don't need anything, but I like to look. One store near me had a vintage 50's era kitchen table and chairs in near mint condition...it was already sold, and while I admired it, I would not have bought it anyway. At least, that's what I tell myself. 🙂
It's been pouring here, too, since last Friday or so. I wish I could send the water out west they need it badly!
This week I am thankful for:
my son giving me a very pretty bouquet of flowers yesterday
that my sick BFF is finally getting some pain relief that works
it's almost the end of the work week
it's my father's birthday tomorrow and though he's been gone for 6.5 years, I am so, so, so lucky to have had him as a dad. I am so grateful my children got to know him so well. He was just the best. Cranky, loving, helpful, hilarious. Loved my mother from the first moment and his last words to me were asking how she was. When Mom was crying at his funeral, I leaned over and said, "He'll always be with us." I thought that was profound, then I found out it's a big cliche, ha, but in this case it's also true. Love you, Dad.
@Rose, aw this made me cry a bit. What a wonderful testament to your dad and his life, and even if it's cliche, doesn't make it less true 😉
We are not going to see the sun for some time (unusual for us), but we need the rain, so no complaints. Except from my children, when I have to wake them up on a dark, rainy morning to go to school. 🙂
--For the continuing abundance of garden lettuce, that I continue to give away to the great happiness of many people in our community.
--For a good garden season in general, which has meant I have food to preserve in larger quantities than I have in some time. I even canned some, which I have not done in years. I also got to experiment with things like fruit leather dehydrated in my car, which is my idea of fun.
--That I didn't mess anything up when I subbed for the school cook yesterday. I cook a lot, obviously, but meals for 60 people is a different skill. It was only spaghetti, but I didn't overcook it or burn the garlic toast or anything.
--For our furnace, which I can start as soon as I get up so I don't have to get the fire going first thing, and for the wood we gathered last weekend, so the furnace doesn't have to stay on all day.
--That I do not have to work today. Three days in a row is enough, and now I can actually get my chaotic house in order and cook something other than eggs or tuna. (22-year-old me who worked five days a week for years would be annoyed at this, but it's pretty easy to get used to a two-day, every-other-day schedule. 🙂
As someone who uses microbiology on the daily, yes, it is a lot of work but I hope you're having fun with it. In my undergrad we got to do a lot of microscopy with our samples and some of the mold was just breathtaking, colorful, almost like you shrunk a dandelion bloom (the thing you try to blow all the petals off and make a wish) or a sunflower. So amazing!
Anyhow, my list of things I am thankful for:
- As I rushed to get my son ready for Kindergarten today, I also thought about how wonderful it is that his school is only few minutes away. I get to drop him off, then come back and hug my daughter and my husband before he takes her to daycare. I really love that little routine.
- I started doing "1000 hours outside" together with my son. I have always wanted a house with some land so that the kids can run around and play, and I can have a garden. Well 2 years ago we got the house (and a newborn though not in the same deal) but the kids were still watching way too much tv. My son is excited and so am I.
- All the wood! We live in Upstate NY and got a pretty good stash of wood last year so this will take us a while to get through, and on cold days like the last few weeks, it's nice to put the fire on even for a couple of hours.
- Our CSA. My husband always makes fun of me because each time I get back from the CSA pick up farm I exclaim "I got some great stuff this time". But the acorn squash we got last week was truly an incredible treat.
- My husband picking up slack when I said I am just overwhelmed with everything for the new job and all the stuff for the kids and house I have to do/call/organize/track. He literally looked at my list and did 1/3 of it in a couple of days.
I'll stop here 🙂
All the beauty a clear October morning is-- to be able to walk and enjoy doubles the blessing. I think of all the creature comforts I take for granted, and pray for those whose homes are gone-- loved ones, too because of natural disasters and war-- just having time with loved ones is huge blessing
Clear skies are beautiful. Today ours are turning damp and dim, which is okay too.
Thankfuls:
-my youngest insisting I ride bikes with him around our property. It was so much fun to connect with him in such a refreshing simple way.
-brilliant colors as the leaves change. In our previous location more often than that leaves turned brown from drought before they changed color, and pumpkin picking was done in shorts because it was so hot. Not so here and I love it!
-organizing my house. I only have a couple boxes left to empty and I’m just waiting on some organizational helps to put the items away. There’s still a decent amount of clutter as this house has significantly different storage than our previous house that was 120 years newer.
-good neighbors who come over to say hi or sit at my counter as I roll out cinnamon rolls (I shared the finished project).
1. Naturally, I am so very thankful that the hurricane didn't hit my county after all. And, naturally, I am grieved for those it hit with such terrible force. When a hurricane in South Florida sucks all the water out of rivers as far away as North Florida before hurling the waters back inland, it is a really bad sign. Our local beaches, canals and rivers were all but drained dry. It was very eerie and ominous to see.
2. I'm very thankful that none of my scattered family in Florida suffered any real damage and had no injuries, although a big section of my sister's fence will have to be replaced. She is not complaining, though.
3. The anniversary of my parents' deaths was Tuesday, and I've been very grateful for their legacy and love all this week.
4. I'm grateful every time I get home and see my new rescue dog running and playing happily in the fenced yard with my original dog. He seems un-inclined to attempt any escape and he's figured out the pet door quickly. My original dog's long dull days of sleeping while I'm at work are over, and she's clearly happier for it. Watching that three-legged new dog leap right over my bigger dog in play is an uplifting sight.
5. I'm thankful that I discovered the $25 gift card in my purse. I'd forgotten that I had it.
@JD, so glad you weren't directly affected by Ian. (None of my Florida people or places were either, thank goodness. But the photos of Ian's destruction have been dramatic, and I can't imagine how those in the direct path are going to cope during the next weeks and months.)
And my belated good thoughts on the anniversary of your parents' deaths. I hope from your "legacy and love" comment that the passage of time has helped take away some of the hurt and left primarily the good memories.
@JD, I'm very glad to hear that you & yours are safe. I didn't know about that water effect you mentioned, draining rivers prefacing a hurricane - that sounds horrifying, wondering exactly where/when the water would rush back!
I'm driving to see my parents this weekend and your #3 reminds me to explicitly tell them how much I appreciate them and their love for us (I'm sure they'd say they already know, but why not keep saying it!).
@A. Marie, @Suz,
A. Marie, knowing the five long months it took my nephew and his family to get back in their house after Michael - and his house was left standing, but had some roof damage- I can't imagine how long this recovery will take. I think about Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas this year for them.
I'm glad your people are safe!
Suz, I've never seen a hurricane draw the water out before. It's not unheard of, apparently, but that was a first for me, and I hope a last!
Thank you both for your thoughts about my parents. I've been very fortunate to have so many good memories. In the first few days after they died, my prayers were answered with a sudden peace and calm about their deaths. That peace has stayed with me ever since, something else for which I'm very, very grateful.
@JD, Your comments are at once edifying and beautifully heartfelt. Thanks for taking the time to post this lovely piece a,omg with your follow up of "sudden peace and calm."
It seems as though no matter the career path chosen, there is always at least 1 class required that makes you wonder how it will ever be put to practical use.
This week I am thankful for -
1. Fall colors! The leaves are turning colors & showing off.
2. The beautiful fall weather we’ve had lately. We are unusually dry right now, but I am able to do outside fall cleanup as needed without dodging rainy days.
3. Being outside without it being too hot/cold. Even though a light jacket is needed at the beginning & end of each day, 70 degrees +/- is VERY comfortable!
4. For my niece who usually sends me home with food for Sunday dinner.
5. For the renewed “umption in my gumption” that I’ve felt this week. It has helped me to accomplish more each day.
6. For my Wednesday morning Bible study group. I love hearing others thoughts & insights, & I always learn something new.
7. Still praising the local YMCA for the many class offerings. Still meeting new people!
1. For October. This is by far my favorite month of the year as it brings with it lovely high blue skies, sunshine and daily high temps in the 70's & no humidity. This is absolute bliss. This is also the month we celebrate my son's birthday and our wedding anniversary so lots of sweetness there.
2. For hot tea & honey, hot coffee, water and any other liquid that soothes the sinus funk that I seem to have succumbed to. Allergies have been flaring up as of late and this morning my voice is not the strongest.
3. For windows open to let in fresh air and the HVAC off - I love this time of year! And hopefully I get a reprieve on the power bill too!
4. For all the lovely tutorials on Instagram I have seen with recipes, hair tricks, cleaning hacks....I really enjoy the useful tips I find there.
5. For some upcoming days off and some time to myself during those days. Very much needed.
Happy weekend all!
I'm thankful this week for
- the biggest laugh that I've had in a while. I was wheezing, I was laughing so much. It felt so good!
- that my cat has unusually thick fur. It gets everywhere, but the fuzziness is the most joyful experience when you just get in there and give him a good all over petting.
- that today is my Friday, whew!
- for cooler weather and lower humidity
- for endless encouragement and support from my sister
We have had several beautiful autumn days--sunny, temps in the 60s, trees starting to turn color. I love this time of year! Thankful for both the weather and the opportunity to be outside to enjoy it.
Grateful that my son's study efforts were not in vain--he did well on an organic chemistry exam last week, which was a relief for both of us!
Thankful that my daughter has friends who push her out of her comfort zone. She is attending the school homecoming dance on Saturday--as an introvert, that's hard for her, but I'm hoping that doing things like this will encourage her to push her boundaries and try new things.
Speaking of the dance ... thankful that she and I were able to find a dress that was acceptable to both of us, and for a reasonable price! The current styles leave very little to the imagination, so finding something that is current and cute and doesn't look like a hooker dress is no small feat!
@Kris,
Your last one - I have two teen granddaughters. The dresses I saw for sale for homecoming were, shall we say, a bit much. Or maybe I should say not enough (material)!
@JD,
My friends have been posting photos of their daughters going to homecoming dances....while these young women are lovely, I agree with the dresses being "not enough". Yikes!
@Liz B., it's definitely tricky to navigate. Thankfully my daughter is naturally modest, so we don't have disagreements on what's appropriate. I think having to always be aware of how you are standing or moving so as not to flash someone would make an event less fun, but maybe it's all about getting the "right" picture to post on social media, and less about the enjoyment you could have while dancing and hanging out with friends. I suspect that each girl's body type factors into the equation--my daughter is slender but curvaceous, and what may be passable for, say, a B-cup girl is definitely not ok for her. I also feel badly for girls who are a little bit heavier. I'm sure that dress shopping (which should be part of the fun) is painful for them.
@Kris,
I wonder the same thing - how could you dance or move around in a teeny dress without flashing anyone? Which makes me a bit sad that it's, maybe, all about getting that Insta-worthy look. And, while there are a lot more options for larger-size/plus size women these days, finding a dress for a curvier body that is not too revealing would be challenging, I would think.
@Kris, yes, finding an affordable homecoming dress is a big deal these days! We quite randomly found one at a local thrift shop that fit her perfectly, we both approved of, and was only $20! She looked stunning and loved the dress! I'm glad that your daughter is going with her friends and hope it's a fun time for her!
A perfect banana is certainly something to be thankful for! Those look perfect!
I was within the range of the Stalled Ian Remnants as well and seeing the moon almost 90% full was the highlight of my day after barely spending any time outdoors in 5 days!
Everything is work related, but it’s been a great week at work!
Last week my employer put on an all staff meeting that only involved one hour of work related activities. The rest of the day was food, drinks, games, entertainment, and a few prizes. I really enjoy my coworkers so it was a fun way to spend a Thursday.
At our all staff meeting, our CEO announced that we would receive the week between Christmas and New Years off, paid. As a mom, I’m thrilled to not have to try and juggle working from home and winter break for my son.
All this week there has been an employee giving campaign for to the foundation connected to our organization. The foundation hosted a physician who discussed Alzheimer’s disease in a way that I really grasped what is actually happening in the brain. I’m involved in many educational opportunities for physicians but I don’t have a medical background so this helped pull a lot of pieces together!
There was a raffle drawing as part of the employee giving campaign and I won a gift card to a local pizza chain and a local brewery – Sunday Funday planned!
Kristen, your cat is so adorable! Those little white paws are just perfection. <3 And the porcelain vine berries in the rain are gorgeous: you could do greeting card photography with some of your photos.
I am as always thankful for my sweet husband and son, for a good team at work, for our furry tribe of rescued critters (especially the youngest dog and cat, who were rescued from really bad situations and have become so loving), for all the frugal geniuses here, and the promise of rain, as our usual dry September is extending into October and we really need the rain.
@Ruby, I think you mean "purrfection."
I'll show myself out.
I love that photo of her! It makes me laugh every time I look at it. 🙂
@Kristen, I love it, too! How you ever captured that on camera is beyond wonder. It makes me want to put words into a speech bubble for her.
Sunshine in autumn wonderfully brings out the colours around us!
Thankful for the weekend away ahead of me
Thankful for beautiful music of all kinds and how it can take you where " the music [is] heard so deeply/ That it is not heard at all, but you are the music/ While the music lasts."
Thankful for being able to create harmony with other voices
Thankful for brisk walks in comfy clothes
Thankful that my mother did teach me to knit socks although I did not want to at first
I laughed so hard at the dads "overseeing" tree removal. Some things are the same no matter where you are. I too am thankful Ian has moved on; I was weary of the rain. It could have been much worse though.
I'm grateful for all the people who showed up in protests for Mahsa Amini, both online and in real life. Showing up makes the oppressed feel less lonely and more powerful even though you may be the only one who seems to be standing up for it.
I'm grateful that I was able to talk to my dear aunt before she passed away suddenly. She had memory issues and when I Facetimed the last time, she kept saying, " I know who you are, but do you know who I am"? :).
I'm grateful for the treasures that I find at book sales. This week, it was Ethan Hawke's "Before Sunrise". I also took screenshots of 3 vegan cookie/ cake recipes that don't ask for a ton of ingredients.
I'm grateful for God's surprise blessings in my Frugal endeavors- for finding just the right things on Poshmark to Lands End's deep discounts+free shipping.
I'm thankful for Kristen's sense of humor- from bananas to the dad's photos. Hee hee.
* I’m so thankful my son’s A1c came back lower than his previous result
* I’m so thankful to have been diagnosed a pre-diabetic in August with an A1c of 5.7, so I can reserve this through healthy lifestyle changes and stop the progression to type 2 diabetes
* I’m so thankful for the blue skies and warm sun as I take my walks
* I’m so thankful that due to the healthy lifestyle changes I’ve made, I’ve lost 17 lbs and am now at a healthy weight
* While I miss a few foods, I’m beyond thankful that I’ve found substitutes for those that I love and that do not raise my blood sugar
@Karen C,
Lower A1C is always good news!
Perfect banana photo! Just barely past being green.
I can hear my Dad asking, "Heidi, do you get enough potassium?"
I think the chemistry that is nursing school curriculum is BONKERS!
( chem teacher here). Few people really need to know quantum mechanics in life in general. Wah!
I feel for you. I went back to be a registered dietitian and we have to take these classes as well. Good luck. I am sure you will ace your exams. It's so true about microbiology lab!
@Amanda,
I'm a registered dietitian, too! But not new to the field. I do remember taking A & P, chemistry, and all that....fortunately, I loved it all!
Truly there are too many things to list...but some top tier things on the thankful train: 1) my parents gave us (husband +two kiddos) a rental home (no charge) while we got our house ( we've building ourselves for 2 yrs) closer to the finish line. Thankful that my good friend had her routine mammogram which has likely saved her life. She started chemo today. She is a phenomenal person, and I am thankful to call myself her friend! Thankful that her daughter's wedding was successfully pulled off outdoors over the weekend even as the hurricane was barrelling through FL. Thankful none of my FL family were adversely affected by the storm( definitely praying for those who were. So much loss. My heart hurts with them). Thankful to be a homeschool mom. Thankful to see the scattered Maple's leaves turning deep reds:D. Thankful I had a way to brew coffee(s)-hehe- this morning. Thankful for land. Thankful that God has a purpose beyond the plans I make/try to make. Thankful for this blog and the prompt to stop and reflect on the positive. ❤️- Kristina
I'm not trying to be corny, but I am very thankful for Thankful Thursdays and Kristen's cheerful lead.
@WilliamB, I am thankful for your insight. There is something enriching about taking the time to write them out.
Health insurance - my husband is a retired federal employee so we have great insurance. However, I poked around on the BC/BS website and found options that may save us a good bit of money next year. Cha-ching!
Friends old and new - like the old Girl Scout song: Make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold.
My high school chemistry teacher - she was so good that she got me through two semesters of college general chemistry. Thank you, Mrs. Weaver! I am also thankful that I don't need to recall any of that information at this time of life.
I am thankful for weight lifting. 15 years ago I hurt my back and 10 years ago I badly broke my humerus. I recovered well from both but back pain and shoulder instability (and limited range of motion in the injured shoulder) have been constant companions. But after a month of lifting weights with my husband I've made gains in strength and flexibility that I didn't believe were possible. The small improvements have been immensely encouraging.
I am thankful for cooler weather. My weather has been in the 80s and 90s but the nights are delightfully chilly.
I am thankful that my husband helps around the house and the kitchen. I prefer how I clean things but it is great that I don't feel like it is all on my shoulders.
I am thankful for the red-shouldered hawk that visits my house. (Although, I do worry that he is stealing from the crows or eating the crows.) It is such a joy to watch this beautiful bird from my window.
I am thankful for coffee. I really enjoy that cup of morning coffee.
Two of my items mirror yours this week: Sunshine and our cat!
1. I'm thankful for a few beautiful warm, sunny, blue sky days this week! Today is our last one before the weather changes, but it has been so refreshing!
2. I'm thankful that it looks like our cat, Marshmallow, is going to make it!! I took him to the vet Tuesday afternoon and it's been a rollercoaster since then of going back and forth between being encouraged and not thinking he'd survive. Last night I held my crying daughter for a long time because she loves this cat with her whole heart and things were not looking good. But now he's up! Moving! He even just ate some food for the first time since Monday! I gave him a bath a couple of hours ago (I'm also thankful that he tolerated that really well) and he was so snuggly and just seemed really thankful for the care and to be feeling better.
3. I'm thankful for a fun weekend ahead. We're going out of town tomorrow evening until Monday and I'm really looking forward to it now. The cat situation has weighed heavy on me this week and it will be good to get away and do something fun. We get to stay at a cabin at a state park and some quality time in nature sounds very encouraging at the moment.
4. I'm thankful that my mom will take care of giving my cat his meds twice on Saturday.
5. I'm thankful for coffee and podcasts and the Bible in One Year app.
Lol, love the photo of the neighborhood dads watching the tree removal....probably ready to offer "advice" to the folks doing the clean up. 🙂
I am thankful:
...that my sister in Florida was minimally affected by Hurricane Ian. She lives on the Atlantic side, so they got gusty winds and a lot of rain, but are otherwise okay. I have several friends whose family members lost their homes in the Ft. Myers area. My heart goes out to those trying to deal with the aftermath of this horrendous storm.
....for my husband's flexible work schedule, and his taking on making and keeping our son's medical and dental appointments (as well as help son with his homework when needed). My work schedule is not flexible at all, so this is such a blessing.(Hubs is a great all around dad and partner, but the appointment thing is huge....son just got his braces put on yesterday....no way could I have done that without taking a day off work).
...for the gradual changing of the tree's leaves to shades of red, orange, yellow and brown.....so pretty.
...that my garden provided such abundance this year.
...for my Buy Nothing group, which has allowed me to rehome so many things we no longer need. I've snagged a few items we can use, too.
Thank you for this exercise, Kristen!
Dads everywhere HAVE to go observe things like this. It's in the rule book.
@Kristen, Except our Resident Dad. After so many years of doing all that kind of work, I don't think he would have any interest in watching other men do it. He would really like to cut it up himself to have the firewood, though. 🙂
@Kristen,
Lol, it's true! They'd have to turn in their Dad Card if they didn't observe this rule. 🙂
-So very thankful for beautiful autumn weather here in the PNW. Mornings start off with thick fog and finish with afternoon sun. Glorious!
-Thankful for my dad building a larder in the shop to store all of our veggies and canned goods. It is full for this winter's eating.
-Thankful for my happy, crazy Aussie dog, she is a joy and her antics make us laugh.
-Thankful for the good weather to finish cleaning up the raised beds and get the winter garden planted.
-Thankful for good friends and getting back to our first Friday lunches.
I truly love October!
Very Thankful that my cousin and his wife invited me for a visit in Asheville, NC and the weather has been wonderful…..for outdoor activities !
A beautiful, sunny day lifted my spirit!
Teaching today was a privilege and was fun to boot.
Knowing that I do not have control over some things—and letting go of it was an important practice today. What is meant to be will come to pass.
A loving family.
Coffee
For cooler temps
That my book club is meeting tonight
That my husband can take a week off work to enjoy home in October
My screened porch
That picture of the berries in the rain is stunning!
My thankful list includes:
1. The unseasonably warm, beautiful, sunny warm weather we are having this fall. We have had clear blue skies and short-sleeves and sandals type weather. Some years we have snow on the ground by mid-October.
2. The ability for my students to return to ordinary community events after the last few years of Covid restrictions. They had a blast at the Ultimate Frisbee Tournament with other elementary schools today.
3. The chance to go to a free pro-d tomorrow in a near-by city.
4. A long weekend ahead
5. My fantastic co-workers and team. I'm blessed to work with great people!
I haven't seen Joshua mentioned in a long time. I hope this isn't bringing up a difficult topic but I was just wondering how he's doing. I hope all is well.
Thankful Hurricane Ian missed us! We had a ton of rain on the east coast of FL and two days off work/school. I love a good rain storm, and Ian’s outer bands delivered. My heart goes out to those on the west coast. We’ve lived several times without electricity for two weeks at a time-it’s miserable. I wish people wouldn’t underestimate the power and danger of a hurricane’s storm surge; I wish everyone had evacuated. I’m thankful tomorrow is Friday, and thankful for another healthy year. I’ll never take my family’s health for granted.
Today I am SO thankful that my parents have a signed/ countersigned purchase agreement on their house! Still some steps to get through, but I’m feeling optimistic they will no longer have a house out of state by winter which means I won’t have frequent long drives to help with it too.
Also thankful:
-that my kids are truly enjoying school. That year of remote learning made all of us appreciate in person interaction so much.
-for my former self on Sunday who mustered the energy for a menu plan this week. I fell off the wagon with menu planning since school started but we’ve avoided takeout and consumed many more vegetables this week w/ a strategic meal plan.
-for a few perfect Fall days before cold weather sets in here…and for hot apple cider season!
I'm thankful for all the rain we got - 5 days worth - because we needed it. The river that runs through the center of town now has water and a water fall again, not a water trickle. I'm thankful that my cousins on the west coast of Florida made it through the hurricane ok though they lost power. They are die hard Floridians.
I'm thankful for the sun today. I did have to put the heat on during the rainy spell but I turned it off at night.
Thankful for "Coffee with a Cop" last night at our town library. Always good to see the men in blue but maybe someday a woman in blue? Came home with a coffee mug and 2 apple cider donuts. One for daughter and one for hubby.
Thankful hubby got home safe today. He was in Chicago.
Thankful to get the food out of my kitchen and to the food closet in town.
Thankful for the charity book shop that took my two boxes of books. Glad I didn't have to put them in recycling.
Our local weather man (out here in the NM desert) says "when it rains, don't complain." 51 weeks out of the year, we LOVE us some rain. But during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, that's the week we don't want it! Two days of Fiesta have been rained out during our week-long storms. Grateful we're adding water to our aquifer AND happy the weather hasn't disrupted too much of the coolest week of the year!
I am grateful for our gym membership. Having some time to myself and being able to lift weights is such a luxury.
I am thankful to be healthy enough and pain free enough to exercise. This is not something afforded to everyone and it is easy to forget that.
I am thankful my son is getting the rhythm of school down a little better. He was having kind of a rough first two weeks and I am grateful it seems to have smoothed over and he is happier about school.
Grateful for our local libraries. I wanted to watch the 1995 version of Persuasion, but I didn’t know where to find it. I was looking up the price to rent it when I remembered the library! They pull a copy and have it ready for me to pick up all included in our taxes.
Grateful for my grown up relationship with my mom. We really fought a lot when I was younger but now she is my best friend and we really enjoy talking in the phone. And it is near to get to know your parents as people other than just as your parent. If you would have told me when I was younger how we get along now I would never have believed you! But now I am so grateful for her guidance, sense of humor, and stories.
Aw man, I wish I'd known that you didn't know about the Quizlet app, because I would have told you ages ago! My cousin used it when she was studying to become a nurse as well. 🙂
I, too, am thankful for your cat! Every time I see your kitty on your blog, it makes me smile. Just love her coloring, the expression on her little face, and her cute whiskers! haha
I am thankful that shrubs I ordered arrived yesterday and the sun is out and reasonably warm, so it was a pleasure planting them. The shrubs were not available locally even though they are for my zone, and I got free shipping. On top of that the shrubs were larger than I expected and very healthy. I will be looking forward to their blooming in the Spring.