Thankful Thursday | the vaccine one
This week, I am thankful:
that some warm, sunny weather is coming
It's been a chilly, cloudy week, but we're going to get some sun starting on Saturday, and next week promises some warmer air too.
for the later sunsets
I don't love the process of starting daylight saving time, but I do enjoy the later sunsets. Daylight at dinner time always makes me feel like spring is here!
that Sonia and I were able to get vaccinated
Everyone who volunteers with and works for the vet hospital is qualified, by letter, for the vaccine in our state's current phase; I got my second shot this week, and Sonia gets her second shot in two weeks.
I realize that as I share this, some of you will think that we shouldn't have gotten the shot at all (due to your concerns about the vaccine) and also that some of you will think that we should not have been eligible yet.
I can assure you that everything was on the up and up regarding us qualifying, but I also realize that the order in which people qualify seems nonsensical in a lot of ways (Because of her job, Lisey is exposed to way more people than me, but she doesn't qualify until the next phase!)
that I am now feeling better
I felt a little under the weather for about 48 hours after the second shot (first shot gave me no side effects). I'm really glad to be feeling more like myself again!
There is nothing like a brief bout of sickness to make you appreciate your own health and also to remind you to have compassion on other people who are sick.
that I was under the weather but not contagious
I've always thought that one of the few mercies of hyperemesis is that it is not contagious! During my pregnancies, people were able to see me and help me and be around me with no fear of catching anything.
And I thought the same thing about my post-vaccine situation; it's a little easier to be under the weather when you don't have to worry about getting others sick.
that a number of family members have been able to get vaccinated
I'm especially thankful that family members with risk factors have been able to be protected.
that I will now be less of a risk to my cousin and her son
Since they both have higher risk factors, I've been good about wearing a mask whenever I go help her. But being vaccinated is going to be even more effective than me wearing a mask, so I'm happy about that.
that Sonia and I have spring break next week
I'm looking forward to having a break from biology classes and homework!
that this week's biology chapter has been easier
Last week was all about cellular respiration and included the dreaded Krebs cycle.
This week we are on to photosynthesis, which, by comparison, is pretty simple! I will take the Calvin cycle over the Krebs cycle any day.
(Incidentally, Melvin Calvin is the guy who gets credit for discovering the Calvin cycle, and Sonia and I were both like, "Who names their kid Melvin Calvin??" They must have really liked the sound of names ending in "lvin".)
for the friends in my class
It's been fun to have some mom friends to talk to, and also nice that we can help each other figure things out when we are stuck.
for the fun of having Sonia in class with me
It's nice to have someone in my house to discuss the class and the content.
(and also to complain with sometimes when there's an error on the quiz!)
What are you thankful for this week?
P.S. I totally get that we are going to have seriously differing opinions in this group about the vaccine. And I also want to please ask if we can all agree to still be kind and show love despite that. I've obviously made it clear where I land on the issue, and if you disagree with me, I still want you to feel welcome here.
This morning when it was time to take my daughter to school I discovered that I locked my keys in the house with all of us outside. But I was thankful that:
* We weren't locked out of the van and could wait in there
* My husband works 5 minutes from home, he answered his phone, and he was able to come right away
* It was in the 30's outside. So much better than if it was only 10 degrees!
* We weren't running late this morning. While she still walked in the building a minute after she should have been sitting in class, we could have been much later if the morning hadn't gone so smoothly up until then.
Three cheers for the second shot!
My biggest concern this last year has been being an asymptomatic carrier and giving Covid to one of the people around us who have additional health concerns and might not make it through Covid. Every day I am so thankful for those shots and having the fear lift. (We are still being careful around other but the constant concern is gone.)
I am thankful for:
1) Daylight Saving Time and having time for a walk after work.
2) The first California poppy I saw last night. Spring is coming.
3) Vaccinations
4) Spring break next week and a week to read Karen Swallow Priors guide to Frankenstein.
5) An upcoming trip to Zion. Planning the trip is half the fun of going.
Your maturity and compassion with how you discuss the vaccine is inspiring!! You create such a wonderful community here.
Congrats on getting vaccinated, it must be a huge relief! Hopefully Lisey can also qualify soon through her job 🙂
I really do hope so! She does wear a mask all the time, and now that the weather is warmer, they will have the bay doors open. And she is young and healthy, so I'm not too worried about her.
But still the fact is that she is much more exposed to people than I am at the cat shelter, which makes it odd that she does not qualify yet.
I'm thankful that my sister sent me an article on caregiving for a family member with dementia or a similar issue, and dealing with the frustration and stress that entails. I think about A.Marie a lot. I hope she is doing well! My husband's stroke left him with some cognitive deficits, as they call them - enough to mean he is no longer quite himself or using the best judgment, but not enough to obviously require professional care. One of the most difficult problems is that he doesn't realize he has the problem. So this article was a big help and I am very thankful for that today.
I'm grateful for the sun that has followed the rough line of storms that just passed through.
I'm thankful that my two grandkids who were exposed to Covid at daycare did not get it, and tested negative. And that the people who had it are doing well.
I'm thankful that I happened to stop in a thrift store and found a nice pair of Talbots slacks, new with all tags, for $15. The original tag was not an outlet tag with MSRP on it, but the regular store tag - $99.
I'm really happy that one of my medications, formerly around $70 for three months, is free to me using my new Medicare prescription plan and their preferred pharmacy.
I'm thankful for crock pots/slow cookers. Even a pressure cooker would have taken too long to cook corned beef on a week night. The crock pot was my hero.
Although I've been taking a break from posting lately due to DH's issues, I just want to assure JD and any others who are concerned (Kristen and Lindsey have both checked in recently) that we are both physically healthy and getting our first COVID shots soon. DH's downward mental progress continues (unfortunately, Alzheimer's is a one-way street), and the process of trying to get him wait-listed for residential care is proving to be worth its weight in acid reflux. But I keep chipping away at the wall, and my support group of neighbors and friends is hanging in there with me. Be well, everyone.
A. Marie, thanks for the update! Thinking of you.
So nice of you to pop in and update us! Readers frequently ask about you. You are loved!
Thank you A Marie for letting us know how you and your husband are doing. I have been thinking about you and wanted to ask in the comments but did not know if we were allowed to ask about another commenter.
I wanted you to know you were being thought of and sent positive thoughts.
I'm glad to hear that, A. Marie! My thoughts and prayers are with you.
I’m so happy you’ve had the opportunity to be vaccinated! My parents will receive their second does tomorrow, and although I’m still waiting for my turn, I’ll feel so much better knowing that they’re vaccinated. Warmer, sunnier weather plus an easing up of Virus-related stress is really making me optimistic about the not-too-distant future!
Yes! I really do think that 2021 is going to be a better year on this front than 2020 was.
Glad for your vaccine. It is thought that the vaccinated can still transmit virus though they don't appear sick themselves, so be careful around the family members you mentioned. Keep wearing the masks.
Yes, I'm carefully watching the news about that. A report just came out about the Pfizer vaccine (the one I got), saying that it appears that the odds of transmitting are extremely low (right about the level of the odds of getting COVID while vaccinated), so I felt cheered by that news.
Hopefully we will continue to get a clearer and clearer picture of how long the vaccine protects and also about these lingering transmission questions.
But at least we do know that vaccinated people can be around each other safely, so that's good news for my parents and me!
I got my second vaccine on Saturday and did a lot of sleeping in the following two days, but I'm so grateful to have received the vaccine (and that my body's immune system is obviously doing what it should!). My oldest daughter has received both her shots and my other daughter and son have both received their first doses. (We're all in qualifying categories and my son is stationed in Italy, and they're back in Red stage again!)
Ooof, yes, I do not envy anyone in Italy right now. It sounds so tough over there!
Yay! I don't begrudge anyone who gets the vaccine. The more people the better. I received first dose last week (considered high risk-pregnant). It is one of the few things that makes me feel hopeful.
I agree. I also agree with Kristen that the rules seem nonsensical, but I also believe that as more and more people get it those who still haven't are protected indirectly.
I received my first shot two days ago as I am also pregnant. I can not wait for my husband to be able to receive his, hopefully by May or June.
Congrats on getting vaccinated! I become eligible next week and hopefully will able to get an appointment soon. I miss seeing family and hugging my kids!
I thankful
1. there was no loss of life in Alabama yesterday from the tornado outbreak and we didn't have any damage
2. for being able to cook again in my kitchen. Our ice maker line leaked so we need new floors on almost all of the first floor. Last week there were over six large fans blowing to dry out the subfloor and there was to way to cook with all that dust blowing around
3. having a fund set aside to cover things like the insurance deductible. While I hate taking money out of savings, at least that is why it is there
4. that Proform is going to replace parts for free that were missing from hybrid elliptical/bike machine we bought our son. One of the parts was going to cost $50 if I had to order them
5. that Mom is finally settling in at the nursing home and has been happy for 3 days in a row
Oh my goodness, that leak sounds like such a headache! I really, really hate having my kitchen out of commission.
I hope that you get to pick out some flooring you like even better than your old flooring.
That is fantastic news! I’m looking forward to getting mine, but I’m especially thankful that my wife got hers as she has two autoimmune conditions. She is a frontline worker with homeless people, which moved her up the line as currently in BC (Canada) we are on 90-year-olds this week.
I’m so thankful for longer days. It’s great that my students can come down our long outdoor stairs without me turning the Christmas lights on. It’s so much cheerier too.
I’m thankful for easing restrictions. We are allowed 10 people outside now, so plan to take advantage of that soon!
I’m super thankful to be on spring break! My stats class continues, but I have a much-needed break from teaching.
I’m thankful I got to do these two stats classes from home this year. All the lectures are recorded, and that has saved my bacon on those days my adhd brain is like a saturated sponge and just can’t take in any more information! Amazing what a break or a meal or a night’s sleep will do.
1. I'm thankful for budding Bradford pear trees in Georgia. I've never been in Georgia in the spring except for this year when we were here this year to care for my father-in-law. The Bradford pear blossoms are amazing and arch over the street to make a "White Way of Delight" (to quote Anne of Green Gables).
2. I'm thankful for two weeks of sunny, warm weather while we cared for my FIL and for the funeral. The grandkids could run in and out all day long without bringing red Georgia mid indoors.
3. I'm thankful for the rain this week and how everything is turning green in Georgia. Colorado has a while to go before green-time.
4. I'm thankful we can work from home in Georgia almost as well as working from home in Colorado.
5. I'm thankful the missions event we're planning this weekend is also virtual and we can do it from anywhere.
Aw, love that Anne's WWofD is realized in GA 🙂
I'm most thankful that our kitty came home safely. One of our strictly indoor cats snuck out on Sunday, and was missing for about 36 hours. We were so worried about her! After an exhaustive search, she showed back up in our yard, tired, but perfectly healthy. I'm also hugely thankful for the friends and neighbors who helped us search for her, the businesses who let us put up fliers, and the total strangers who searched their yards and business parking lots.
That's great news about you and Sonia being vaccinated. The distribution order isn't perfect and never will be, so as long as you're being honest about your status, there's absolutely no reason for anyone to give someone a hard time about taking the vaccination when it's their turn.
Thank you for the last paragraph. You said what I was thinking much more eloquently than I could have.
I had a co-worker who was Gregory Gregory Gregory III. So, not only did his parents give him the same 3 names, so did his dad's parents, etc.
We had a John John in our town. Really makes you wonder what parents are thinking.
This reminds me of Wilson Wilson, the neighbor of Tim Allen's show Home Improvement, who you always only saw with his eyes peeking over at Tim across their fence.
A classmate of mine was Robert Roberts III. Not sure about his middle name, though.
My grandmother was Becky Beck (she married into that name), and my aunt was Judy Judy (again, married name).
We rented a house years ago and found left-behind paperwork in a cabinet with the names of the previous occupants, who had a son named Alexander A Alexander. No middle name except the initial A, so he was the same coming and going. We're still scratching our heads over that logic.
AAA initials!
I went to school with a Neil McNeil.
My take on the vaccination debate is "you do you and I"ll do me" If someone believes the vaccine is not right for them fine. Just leave me to feel what is right for me with no judgement. That's how I like my friends. friendship over judgements
1. Thankful my parents both received their vaccinations. Both are in their 80's and high risk.
2. Thankful that their kitty cat came home. She has been the best thing for both of them. Keeps them entertained, given them some responsibility and the feeling of unconditional love. She ran away Friday night and my mom was nervous she would get hit by a car. low and behold Saturday she came home. But NOT after being caught on their neighbors camera shakin up with the local Tom Cat!!!
3. Thankful that my husband and I came to an agreement about a summer vacation. There had been much disagreement about a trip to SC. I prayed that I would keep my temper at bay as we discussed. Even though I wanted to go and now we are not, I am very happy about the alternate trip we planned instead. (It could have gotten really nasty!!)
4. Thankful for a much lower electric bill this month....like $200 less!
5. Thankful that my community is starting to announce that "normal" summer activities like the pool, baseball, etc. will all be available this year. My kids need those things...so do I!
I am thankful that my husband was able to get vaccinated. The VA said they were calling people 50 and up. He's 45, but has some health conditions that must have gotten him bumped.
I'm dog sitting for my sister for a few days and while I love these dogs, I'm thankful I only have cats.
I'm thankful for coffee, because I really needed it this morning.
I'm thankful for it being light later in the evening. I hate when it's dark at 5.
I'm thankful for curbside pickup and the fact that during this last year, with my husband being retired and me doing online classes only, we've been able to stay home as much as we want.
Whenever I help Sonia with dog-sitting jobs, I am reminded how easy cats are. Ha.
Yes! I do like dogs but I'm definitely a cat person.
My friend is a Navy vet and she registered with the VA. In her 40s but I guess they had availability so she already got scheduled. She felt a little weird about it, but she followed the process and was happy to wait as long as needed. It seems like the VA is a little ahead!
I've read that it's two weeks after your second shot when the process is complete and that a mask should still be worn. Is this still the current information?
Definitely two weeks after the second shot, yet.
And the masking issue seems still a little unsettled. Obviously you should still wear a mask whenever it's required in public. It seems clear no mask is required if vaccinated people are around each other. Other than that, I'm hearing mixed information.
I am hearing that even if I am vaccinated, I should wear a mask around UN vaccinated people,because I could possible carry a virus and not get sick myself, but transmit it to those who are not immune.that said., After all the awful facebook posts telling me to just “STAY HOME” because I am older when I asked if the public would PLEASE wear masks to protect us all)— I am not inclined to be worried over those who choose not to vaccinate.If they are worried about getting sick from me or other vaccinated people,they should stay home. I wear a mask in public buildings like libraries and my friends are all vaccinated now so we met without masks. I would of course wear a mask around my unvaccinated family who are waiting their turn.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/08/health/covid-vaccine-mask.html
I support everyone getting the vaccine as soon as they become eligible. Not having to worry about infecting those more vulnerable is a good thing.
1. My brother gets his second vaccination tomorrow. He lives alone and him being protected helps me feel less worried about him.
2. The sun will be out this weekend and we can set up our new outdoor dining table. We needed a smaller one, the one we were gifted before took up too much space on our terrace.
3. Russell Stover brought back the Coconut nests with the jelly beans that look like bird eggs on them for Easter. It's the little things in life!
4. I filed a complaint about noisy steel plates on the street in front of my house and they were fixed that same day! They were VERY loud every time a vehicle went over them, woke us from our sleep.
5. I experimented with going to bed a bit earlier each day in the week and a half leading up to Daylight Saving and it was a much better time of it this year.
I am thankful this week for...
The "waste avoidance protocol" list for the vaccine. You can get on this list so that when someone cancels a vaccine appointment at, Walmart, for instance, the pharmacy will call to see if you still need a vaccine. They don't want to waste any vaccines they've gotten out for the day. I was able to get my shot Sunday and helped keep a vaccine from being wasted!
That the weather this week is more spring-like and less windy.
That there weren't any big tornadoes in Georgia today where my friends and parents live.
For a flexible work schedule.
That the hubs qualified for his shot last week and so now we're BOTH 1 shot in with our vaccines.
For outdoor social activities like golf, biking and skiing.
That I was finally able to book a trip home at the end of May. I get my second shot April 15th!
I got my vaccine the same way. The clinic I was vaccinated at was targeting immunocompromised people and people with immunocompromised families not in the current eligible phases first in the waste avoidance protocol. I'm really thankful for their thoughtfulness, and I'm hoping that more states will use the waste avoidance protocol so that no shots go to waste and as many people as possible can be vaccinated as quickly as possible.
For sure! Avoiding vaccine waste seems like an extremely high priority.
Yes to number 1 -- how my husband got his -- and so much better not to waste this precious stuff!
A coworker of mine (in another state) got the J&J shot that way. He and his wife were laid up for a day this past weekend but otherwise were fine.
Most thankful this week for not one, but two storm systems that brought us some desperately needed precipitation. We've been in a bad drought, and it's been rough on all the ranchers.
Also for . . . sprouting seeds, my sons' good teachers, a new healthy lamb, and children who like to read.
The primary inequity is that each state sets its own rules about who gets shots and when.
It's unfortunate that depending on where you live and/or availability of vaccine, vulnerable populations cannot get vaccines.
Even when states open up to allow a greater number of individuals, there's the problem of availability. Demand versus supply. It's still a major mess almost everywhere and it's not helped by seriously flawed online access and often no waiting lists, etc.
As many have said online, getting a shot can be a crapshoot. Fortunately, more states are also opening up hotlines to help. And the great blessing: Every community has individuals who volunteer to work the system to help someone get a shot.
Just a reminder, as I'm sure you know this: Even after you've been vaccinated if you're around someone, such as a pregnant woman who may or may not be offered a shot or may not want one (the science on how the vaccine impacts pregnant and trying to get pregnant women does not offer any insight as to risk), please wear a mask.
CDC notwithstanding even Dr Fauci says they can not say that having your vaccines will prevent you from spreading to others (when you are asymptomatic).
So caution. Too many sad stories of families decimated due to holding what they consider "safe" get-togethers. It's not just social distancing and masks, many other precautions (bathroom habits, etc) that have to be in place that are easily forgotten when people are sharing both space and food.
Hopefully, it will be warm enough for even us stuck in our small apartment city places to get outside. I don't care how much they open up, indoor dining is still a huge risk unless there are HEPA filters in place and truly NO ONE around. (After seeing a diagram of a Chinese restaurant's tables where it was clear that people all the way on the other side of the room somehow got infected by others in the room.)
Caution especially after we've gone through so much, still needs to be exercised.
You can still get the vaccine and get Covid. The hope---but no guarantee that you don't fall into that 5% that still got sick after the vaccines--is that you will not die or be hospitalized. But if you're in that small group...
.
Stay healthy. Stay cautious
I’m thankful for:
* hints of spring in Chicago
* Plans to visit college kids over Easter
* A reorg that is putting me back into a preferred role with greater opportunities for my skill set.
* that vaccine availability is expanding
* that my son will have an in person commencement for his college graduation. Socially distant, outdoors and with ticket limits. I’ll take it!
* that one of my 3 kids will be thru college. Not debt free but < $16k so manageable hopefully.
I have conflicted feelings about the vaccine. I don't yet qualify in my state, which is fine. But I'm seeing other people my age who also don't qualify, but are taking the vaccine. They are taking advantage of the fact that the vaccination sites don't question them directly whether they're eligible. (They have told me exactly this, so I'm not just guessing that they're not eligible.) On one hand, I want as many people vaccinated as possible. But on the other hand, I really hate to see this side of my friends - knowing they are willing to lie to get their vaccine. 🙁
I hear you. Sonia and I did have official documentation proving our eligibility, but no one took those papers at the vaccination sites. I understand that they're using an honor system so that the process doesn't get clogged up. But it does create a problem with people who are not willing to respect the order the government has chosen to use.
Mr. FG could easily go do the same thing, but he's sticking it out until he is actually qualified. Which is a few phases down the road!
That's strange. I was figuring I'd have to have my Employee ID to prove I am eligible.
The website said I'd need my letter (or some other form of proof), but then when I got there for the appointment, they didn't ask for it at all.
I have a friend who took his dad to one of the large drive through sites here in Phoenix and they asked if anyone else in the car wanted a vaccine so he got it. He wasn't technically eligible, but I think the people giving the shots just wanted to get them in arms.
Congratulations on receiving the vaccine. Every person vaccinated puts us one step closer to “normal.”
Today I feel thankful for
1) Hope - it’s so wonderful to think that life will return to normal for many people who have lived in isolation and fear for the last year.
2) Rain- we are expecting rain for the first time in 10 days. I am hoping that it will wash the pollen from the air and make it easier to breathe.
3) Azaleas - when the azaleas are in bloom, I know spring has arrived. The colors are just amazing. Pink makes me happy.
4) Friends- I’ll just say there are few things in life as wonderful as a true friend.
5) St. Patty’s Day - it was a great excuse to have family over for a mid- week dinner of corned beef and cabbage. Best of all, since daylight savings time has begun, we were able to sit outside and dine alfresco.
1. Thankful to the friend cleaning out her freezer who offered me 9 bags of highbush cranberries she had picked last fall. They are not suitable for eating but are great for syrup and jam. I spent the weekend making and canning pancake syrup, with plenty for us as well as for her and our neighbors. Free food makes me happy.
2. You know how you sometimes go through life feeling you are the only one who feels a certain way about something? For me that is hating the 24 hours of sunlight we get here during the summer; when I have said that, friends think I am nuts. Well, this week the army sent black out curtains for all their soldiers stationed in Fairbanks, 40% of whom in a survey said too much sun impacts their sleep, their mental health and can lead to depression. I am thankful not to be the only weirdo who finds all this sunlight oppressive, although we put foil on our bedroom windows starting in February because even with blackout curtains shafts of sun manage to sneak in around the edges to stab you in the eyes in the middle of the night.
3. Thankful for the northern lights which have been spectacular this past week, even better than normal, hours of them dancing across the sky in green, pink and purple.
4. Thankful for a friend who has reached her one year of sobriety. She lost her 30s and 40s to alcoholism but finally her 9th attempt at treatment clicked for some reason. Despite the pandemic she maintained her sobriety and found a job. She is so happy it makes me happy to see her so healthy and hopeful.
5. Thankful for the usual constants in my life: the husband, the pound hound, the chickens and our hedgehog.
I spent just two weeks in Alaska around summer solstice, and while your state is gorgeous, I absolutely could not live there because of the sunlight. I couldn’t handle the extremes, and summer seemed just as challenging (albeit in different ways) as I imagine winter is!
My job was in one of the initial phases for the Vax in my state but we've had a lot of "line cutters" which got moved ahead of me in terms of when I can get mine. I will be eligible soon enough but I'm not worried about either.
I do hope I get the J&J vax because there's just one dose needed.
Let's see:
I'm thankful our Aldi was renovated. I was missing it and the new one has so much more stuff in there! It's really great now!
I'm thankful that I still don't know anyone personally who was seriously ill with Covid (a couple people had mild sniffles or no symptoms at all.)
That the time change went smoothly at work (even though I'm still recovering from some 3AM work I had to do)
And most of all, the warmer weather. I know Winter ain't over yet but it's on its way out!
Ooh, a fresh Aldi! Ours got redone a few years ago and it was so much nicer in the end.
We thought Sonia would be getting the J&J, but the day we were at that site, they switched back to Pfizer. So, she's gotta go back for a second dose.
Yeah I went today to get like $5 worth of stuff and spent like $36. Oops!
I'm so thankful:
-For my adorable and incredibly sweet little thirdborn who turned three on Monday. She brings a tremendous amount of joy to our household.
-For safety on the little three day trip we just took. We had no cell service while there so I felt really vulnerable. Even though I well remember the days when we had no cell service at all!! 🙂
-For a husband I still enjoy hanging out with. We've been married for 13 years now and we have four kids... we have had some ups and downs over the years but ultimately we still love being together. And we're even more committed now than the day we got married. That's something I do not take lightly.
- For the area we live in. We are just several minutes from convenient things, like grocery stores, libraries, the freeway, etc. But also just a few minutes away from extremely scenic picturesque farmstead countryside. The best of both worlds. Although if I had my druthers, I would move further into the country. We're very much country people at heart. Plus we want chickens.
- for my 8 year old who (still) holds my hand when we are walking! These days are limited :'-(
- for a husband who is much better with money than I could ever be! He's a natural budgeter/saver and I am....not!! He definitely keeps me on track and I help him be more spontaneous and realise that a bunch of money doesn't so you any good if you don't use it once in a while.
To be honest, it's hard to hear that people who are younger and healthier than me was eligible for vaccine first. I'm happy for you, yet not sure we needed to hear an announcement about this right now. I haven't been able to see my brother in-person or have a meal with my parents in over a year. So, yes, I'm happy for you--but not sure you needed to announce it.
It’s something Kristin is thankful for and I think she described it gracefully.
I agree! Kristin followed the rules and was able to get vaccinated. For this she is thankful and rightfully so.
If someone wrote they were thankful for their health or for being able to pay off their debt and at that moment I was unhealthy or struggling financially, I would still be happy for them.
We have all stuggled through this pandemic, but let's do this is in union.
I feel the other way around—I though the younger families who had to be out there working should have gotten it first. Many of us are on a roller coaster of emotions this year and I am sure most of us here are happy for Kristin and Sonia!!
I agree with you, Madeline. I am old and could stay home for the most part. I think the priority should have been those who have to go to work to survive this year. This was rather a non-issue for Alaskans since the vaccine was well administered and was pretty quickly available to anyone over 16, but as I watched people at cash registers and in other essential places I thought they should have gotten it first. My husband and I missed a lot of things, including family, but some people were not as fortunate and were not able to shelter in place.
I did seriously consider saying nothing (I've been blogging long enough to have a good idea about what will happen when I share things like this!). It's obviously been three weeks since my first shot, and I had it scheduled a while before that, so I've been mum about it for a bit.
But me being down with side effects this week meant our meals got switched up and I was trying to figure out how to navigate that in the post for tomorrow, and ultimately I decided to just be honest about it.
If I remember correctly where you live, I think your eligibility is coming up super soon now, right? I hope so much that you will be able to see your brother and your parents soon, and I hope your parents are already eligible.
We also need to remember that how each of us "look" online might not be the 100% reality of us.
Thankful for:
1) an online class i was able to take this morning full of useful info for work (first time they have offered it online-a silver lining of the pandemic)
2)it is beautiful and sunny and we have amazing snow for skiing so i can go stretch out after 5 hours of class
3) my husband received his second vaccine yesterday, and I get mine next week
4) cleaning out our pantry and freezer this month to keep grocery bills low and use up some strange bits
5) there may be time for a nap this afternoon!
I'm thankful for the vaccines and after a year being able to hug my grandkids.
I'm thankful for sunshine and no wind after several cloudy, windy, cold days.
I'm thankful that today I had my mammogram and yearly dermatology checkup so
all my annual appointments are completed.
I'm thankful that the teachers in our family are eligible for vaccines now.
I'm thankful the teachers and the school kids will have spring break. It's been a rough year.
I'm thankful not to be hospitalized this year as I was last year at this time.
I am happy you and Sonia were able to get vaccine.A worldwide pandemic is a (hopefully) once in a lifetime experience..the rules and the roll out of the vaccine is different everywhere and I feel we should all just be happy for anyone who does become able to get it. SOON we all will be able to. I got my 2 shots. I am over 65 and retired, and I felt it was EASY for me to stay at home, that it would have bene good if the people who have to go out to work could have gotten it first.But, I went and got my shots when eligible. Now, they are slowly getting to the younger folks. I am hopeful.
No side effects here.
And yes, nicer weather is always a boost to the spirit!!
I am very thankful for the vaccine also! We’re in Alberta, Canada. My mom who is very medically challenged had her first shot and next one for the 7 April. My husband is getting his at the end of the month and I will be eligible Mid April.
So looking forward to getting back to life. It’s been a lonely year.
So happy for you to get the vaccines however it happened! I hope everyone who can (and wants to) be vaccinated can do so, whatever the tiers or lineup. Every shot in the arm is a step toward beating this thing without pressuring anyone who is nervous or fearful.
Yes!!! Yes!!! Yes!!!! Hope.
1. As I say each week, the Monday walking group. It was tough to get up at 6:30 a.m. Boy was it cold and windy this past Monday (16 deg temp/felt lower out in the open). But it was not bad in the woods and once we got moving we made our own heat.
2. I am loving the origami class I am taking through the Sr. classes via zoom at the university in my town. This past week she had us make tulips. Looking forward to creating a bouquet for spring. She also had us make a canoe/kayak. I'll make one for my kayaking friends for our first trip out in spring.
3. Again my library. I am able to borrow 3 origami books to review before I consider purchasing.
4. I am on a board in our town and we have an important project before us for our vote of approval. We are going slow. It will have an effect on the whole town. But last night a couple of the townspeople thanked us for our careful consideration. Very grateful.
5. Our small, annual, family St. Patrick's dinner. Last year it was cancelled because my daughter was too concerned.
6. I did get the vaccine because my daughter scheduled it. My husband goes next week for his first shot. I might not have rushed to get it. Earlier on I looked up the development of vaccines, especially polio which was developed when I was in elementary school. It took them many years and initially there were problems. But, modern technology and research is so far ahead of the 1940s-1950s. I did fine with my first shot. I'll let you know when I get the 2nd. I have heard varying responses. My 82 yr old sister-in-law had no reaction to the 2nd dose. I just wonder if we will have to get a new covid vaccine, like we get the flu vaccine, every year.
One of the docs interviewed said the reason they could develop this vaccine so quickly was that they have been working on vaccines for decades now and have a better sense of how they operate, so it was just a matter of pivoting to this virus.
An overnight success that wasn't really overnight!
I read an interesting article about Katalin Karikó, a Hungarian-born scientist who has been working in the area of mRNA vaccines for decades. Her work is the basis of the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines.
Wow! I will have to find that article online. That's really cool. 🙂
I can attest to that as well. My girl scout co-leader worked on these vaccinations as her research in graduate school!
Let's see...
I was "only" 62 when I received my vaccines a couple of months ago. I volunteer at a Thrift Store that is run by a hospital and they gave all of the active volunteers vaccines. No-hassle appointments at the hospital and no waiting. I changed zero behaviors because my family was not vaccinated yet, but...
DH got his first shot today! (He's an essential worker.)
Bonus kid has emergency/evacuation training for his job, but has been laid off since the early days of the pandemic. He was notified by his employer that he qualifies under whatever tier level our state is on, so after hours of trying, he snagged an appointment for this Saturday. Yippee!!
I am just returning home from a day at my Favorite Thrift Shop (see above). I swung by the Farmer's Market on the way home and grabbed what I need to make TFG's Thai Curry Soup for dinner. Yum!
I am so, so, so glad it's Daylight Savings Time, even if it is an adjustment! Sunshine makes me happy. I really want to experience 24 hours of sunshine at least once in my life!
Finally, my 96-year-old friend has been reluctant to get the Covid vaccine. She's very healthy, which she attributes to never going to the doctor. I visit her once a week in her home. I think I've finally convinced her to make an appointment. Wish us luck!
Off to make delicious soup!
Aww, I love that you got a vaccine related to volunteering. Obviously, neither of us volunteered with the idea of qualifying for a vaccine, but it is a nice blessing.
I'm happy that you wanted the vaccine and were able to get it. Everyone that wants it and gets it is a blessing for all of us. They are lowering the age to 40 at the Orange County Convention Center (Orlando) next week, so it will soon be readily available for everyone.
Thanks for your blog and your honesty.
I'm thankful that I got to go to Nebraska for 13 days and watch my grandkids while my dil went to see her mama who has cancer. I'm also thankful to be home and here to take care of my parents who really missed me and need lots of help!
I'm so glad that you and Sonia were able to get vaccinated! 🙂 I am anxiously awaiting my turn. I should be in the next group in the Phoenix area, where I live.
My county which is the largest county is Texas (Harris) are vaccinating thousands every single day. I was able to qualify and got my 2nd shot yesterday. Felt super sleepy but other than that no other side effects. My site area they are very effective and the Texas National Guard is the one that set everything up. I am glad you and your daughter was able to get it done but yes I don't really care for the phases but here it seems like they are giving shots to whoever wants one because if not the vaccine goes to waste.
I am pro vaccination. I wouldn't be deaf if were vaccinated. Our Australian qualifying rules are so confusing. Last week a doctor caught the virus. She was not vaccinated but other groups were. That I cannot understand. I will take my doctor's guidance as there are vaccines I cannot have. My pregnant daughter has made it clear she wants everyone to be vaccinated as they will not vaccinate her or the precious bundle she is carrying.
Krebs cycle is a difficult for me as well.
Now for my thankful things.
1. I bought lamb chops at 83% off. These were the chops my children called lollipop chops and their excitement was huge.
2. I bought nine, ten metre rolls of aluminium foil reduced to 30 cents each.
3. My granddaughter is the light of my life and I will have another towards the end of the Australian winter.
4. My son works as a contract chef and work during the lockdowns was difficult. He has had much experience cooking for the elderly so he did have more work than time off. He finished one contract today and will be going to the country for to contracts starting next week.
5. I live in a free country and there is much to be thankful for the life I have been given.
I am grateful for excellent formula milk, for my niece who had problems nursing my grand nephew.
I am grateful that my muscle aches around chest and arms are "only" stress-related and that I will be able to tackle them without medication.
That we have such excellent healthcare in my country and that it is so widely available to all.
That nature is so splendid and that being out of doors supports recovery and healing for many ailments that do not require emergency care.
That my tumor was benign.
That there are more things to be grateful for than can be mentioned in one post or on one Thursday.
Happy Thursday all!
I teach high school five days a week in person and have been doing so for this whole school year. I am so excited that I will be getting my first vaccine dose tomorrow! It feels like it has been a long wait for my turn.
I feel thankful that my husband and my parents are fully vaccinated. I feel thankful that my in-laws got their second dose yesterday and will soon be fully vaccinated. I am thankful that my 16 year old daughter is eligible through her job at a senior living and will get her first dose as soon as her workplace receives a delivery of Pfizer.
I am thankful for scientists who have brought these amazing vaccines to us.
I'm thankful that my husband and I were able to get our first Covid vaccination this week, even though we both had some side effects. We've had Covid, so our immune systems were already "primed." I'm hoping we won't have reactions to the second shot in a month. It's all still worth it and we're looking forward to finally seeing our vaccinated relatives.
Also thankful that spring blossoms are showing in our neighborhood, that I have a couple of vacation days coming up soon (will be spent at home, but that's fine), and everyone in our circle of family and friends is still well and working.
Oh, interesting! I just saw a headline that said that people who have already had COVID are more likely to have effects from the first shot.
I'm curious, why do you need to get the vaccine if you've already had Covid? Isn't the point to get your immune system to produce antibodies? Wouldn't you already have them from having Covid?
We don’t know how long immunity from infection will last — somewhat counterintuitive, but immunity from vaccines can last longer and be stronger, so still worth getting.
Yes, that is exactly why we are getting the shots. My husband had Covid in July, and we were worried that his immunity might be fading.
I will receive my 2nd vaccine shot tomorrow. While I was on the fence about it, my husband and I are raising our toddler grandson. Doing whatever is in my ability to do to help make his world a safer place to be was what tipped me over to getting vaccinated.
As to gratefulness: That precious grandchild who brings love and laughter to our lives every day, the beautiful weather this week that allowed us to get our for some great walks, more sunlight, an opportunity to scrapbook with new friends, and a wonderful tribe of friends who have become family. Life is such a beautiful gift when shared with amazing friends!
I'm super happy you were able to be vaccinated! I'm in Utah and everyone over 16 is eligible to receive the vaccine starting March 24th. By the end of next week my parents, both of my sisters, and I will have all received at least the first dose. My brother lives out of state and is still waiting his turn. We will be able to gather all together without social distancing and are so excited! Very, very grateful! I'm not sure why vaccinations have gone so much quicker here than other places, but I hope they pick up speed everywhere else. I have two roommates. One is fully vaccinated, due to her job and the other one is signed up to get her fist dose on the 24th. I am so thankful for these vaccinations!
Also, I am thankful for sunshine! We have had some nice days this week and yesterday I spent a good amount of time outside on a walk with a friend and in my backyard. Fresh air is so good for the soul!
Kristin, it never occurred to me that I might be eligible for a COVID vaccine based on my volunteering work until I read your post today. So, thanks to you being brave enough to share your good news, I looked into it and it appears I can also now get vaccinated due to my volunteer job at a food pantry.
So even though I know you were a bit worried about sharing your news when others are still waiting, precisely because you did share, I am now getting my first shot on Sunday. So thank you so very much.
I am SO THANKFUL for the vaccines ! I am a child of the 50s, and had polio as a child.
I have had lifelong debilities and problems from that, and now am suffering from post-polio syndrome affecting my lungs. The polio vaccine became widely used when I was in first grade,
too late for me.
SO, I am definitely grateful for the science that made the covid vaccine available so swiftly.
I have had my first shot and am so very thankful.
Your closing paragraph was very gracious and understanding, and so thank you for reminding us to be kind to each other..
oh gosh i hope you are doing ok. we are all a community here. wishing you good thoughts.
We all have to make a choice to get the vaccine and glad you didn’t have too rough a time with it. However, I’m hoping you are still planning to mask up for awhile.
It is not so much a protection for you not to get it as it is to ease the symptoms if you do get exposed. It revs up your antibodies. We are not out of the woods yet...good health to you and be safe.
""But being vaccinated is going to be even more effective than me wearing a mask, so I’m happy about that""
You must be aware already, but the vaccine protects YOU, not the people around. It protects you in the sense that if you catch Covid you will not get as sick and might be asymptomatic. It does not prevent you from catching it, and it does not prevent the spread.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/08/health/covid-vaccine-mask.html
am so glad you are feeling better after the second shot. just though you were busy with school. really missed your posts.
Glad to hear you are feeling better and that spring break is coming up for you. We love the kitty pictures you share as we have multiple cats here (all rescues). One of my daughters is called the cat whisperer- she will go to extreme lengths to help a cat. We keep powdered cat formula, bottles and nipples for middle of the night emergencies.