Thankful Thursday | this is a hard stretch!
You guys, I am kind of crispy again.
17 more days, 17 more days, 17 more days. It's gonna get better!
This week, I am thankful:
that I have a day off tomorrow
I am in the midst of a 10-day stretch of school/clinical/work with only one day off in that stretch. And that day is tomorrow.
Thank goodness! I need a second to pull myself together.
that things slow down after Monday
After Monday, I have two fairly quiet weeks before the final exam. Yay! Then I can really pull myself together.
for spring beauty everywhere
I love to see it!
for a fun study session with my young friends
We do get a lot done during our long sessions, but we also have fun. By hour six on Sunday night, we were getting so tired we were downright slaphappy (which means so much laughing).
I love the way age doesn't matter at my nursing school! My two study buddies are in their early twenties, like my own kids, but we study together and it's no problem.
that I got a 90% on my exam!
It has felt nigh onto impossible to get A's in this semester, so I am delighted about a 90%. Whew!
Now I don't have a lot of pressure on me going into the cumulative final, and I can just spend my studying energy helping other students.
for a brief bit of outdoor time
This stretch of crazy days is seriously impinging on my walking-in-the-woods time. But one evening this week, I took my salad outside and sat on my front steps to eat, and that did help me feel slightly more relaxed.
that my new jury duty is only a week
Remember how last fall they sent me a letter requesting six months of service? And how I was like, "Um, no, that will not be working for me right now." so I got excused due to school?
Well, they sent me a new letter for June, but this one is only requesting a week of duty. Yay! I can totally do a week.
I was really hoping they wouldn't send another six-month request because I was wondering how in the world I would make that work around a new-grad nurse job!
So, WHEW.
that after today, I'm down to two exams
The updated list:
Exam 4- ATI pharmacology exam
ATI comprehensive exam(4 hours, happening this morning)- Remediation bullet points for both ATI exams
64 days of clinical (two more weekends)- a concept map presentation on renal disease
Finish my SDoH project, participate in an online discussion about it, and have a debriefing session about it at school- Cumulative final exam
that I was able to work ahead on my SDoH project
It's due tomorrow, which would have been a disaster if I'd waited until the last minute! I have been so so thankful that, in the midst of these very busy days, I don't have to squeeze in a big project.
And now I have to go eat some breakfast because if, God forbid, I need all four hours for my exam this morning, I'm gonna need some fuel in my metaphorical tank.
Good luck on your exam. So close to the end!
All my thankfuls this week go to Leroy, the angel sent to me when I had a reeeeaaallly hard day Saturday that culminated in my yanking the tire valve actually OUT of my tire when I was airing it up. Which led to me standing there in the rain in my church clothes with the valve jammed in the continuously-running air compressor chuck as my tire went completely flat. And there was Leroy. I'm going to write all about that today on my blog, because Leroy deserves to be known to the world (anonymously, of course).
@kristin @ going country, And here it is, in case anyone needs a Chicken Soup for the Soul story today. 🙂
https://going-country.blogspot.com/2025/04/angels-among-us.html
@kristin @ going country, I'm so glad that Leroy was there when you needed him. In many ways, several of my friends--the Bestest Neighbors, Mr. Fix-It, NDN's close friend, etc.--are "angels among us" for me.
@kristin @ going country,
I love that you shared your story. I always say that God puts angels there when we need them most. I was called an angel once by the elderly gentleman I used to clean for. He had fallen during the day and laid in his bedroom until I got there in the evening to do my cleaning. I swear God put me there at the right time. He might not have survived until someone checked on him, maybe days later.
@kristin @ going country,
Thank you for sharing this sweet story. Sometimes people touch our lives just for a moment, but change everything. After all, this is the season of hope.
@kristin @ going country, Thanks for the heart-warming story of a wonderful person. Indeed, he deserves to be known.
@kristin @ going country,
Love the Leroy story! God may have put you two in each other's lives for a reason. Along the same lines, pls. check on Leroy and help him if he needs any respite time; caring for an elderly loved one is very taxing on a person. (I know; I did.) Also, when his mother passes, be sure to invite him to come in person to services. Because you can be the angel he needs!
Haha I ate my salad on my front step last night and it just brings so much calm to the day.
Good luck with everything! Enjoy your day off tomorrow!
This week I am thankful for:
1. Two medical professionals that took the time to have a full conversation about my healthcare. They treated me like part of a team that will help me get better, instead of just dispensing meds and walking away.
2. More sunshine than clouds lately. It's good for my mood and making vitamin D.
3. A supportive friend who truly understands what I am going through in this stage of my life.
4. The delicious blueberries I got on sale last week.
5. Warmer weather. I love winter, but it's nice not to have to bundle up for my commute all the time.
@AnnieH, I love the rain we're having, with sun in-between. Grey skies for days just brings on the sads!
@AnnieH, I'm so happy to hear about your first thankful. I've also had good experiences with medical professionals this week. I'm so glad there are many good ones 🙂
@Marissa, I'm glad to hear you had a good experience too. I think it really makes a difference in how well the patient does when they feel they are listened to and supported.
You got this, Kristen!
@N, I think the entire Commentariat is waving flags and cheering our Kristen on: "Go! Go! Go! You're almost there!"
I feel the support. Thank you, y'all!
@A. Marie, yeppers, we are!!
@A. Marie, that is for sure.
This one might sound odd, but after 48 years, I’m thankful I got an official diagnosis for ADHD. After all those school years of being labeled “not living up to my potential”, and even more years of struggling with a variety of symptoms, it’s good to be validated that I’m not just lazy, lacking willpower and work ethic. I’m also thankful this diagnosis explains much of my memory issues.
@JenRR,,
Some people used to call ADHD (and similar conditions) a "learning disability." But more often today, it's being called a learning DIFFERENCE. It's OK that your brain is wired somewhat differently from other people's. You just have to go with your strengths and not put yourself down for not conforming to your teachers' (and others') ideal of how you need to be. There are techniques and strategies you can do that will help you adapt to different tasks. But most of all don't put yourself down for being as you are. God does not make mistakes when He creates us!
@JenRR,, I recommend "The Holderness Family" if you want to seek out any info on Adult ADHD. The husband has it and they wrote a book and have a podcast. Also, they are funny 🙂
@Fru-gal Lisa, My son was diagnosed at 6 with ADHD, and I’ve noticed some similarities between our brains, especially now that he’s a teenager and better able to communicate these things. It has actually been a relief to know my challenges have not just been because I’m a “slacker” or whatever. The superpower of my ADHD symptoms has always been my hyper focus on things I find interesting. My brain either zones out information or goes 200% into something. I will admit my brain can do some pretty amazing things. As an adult, I’ve recognized my learning and work style. Lectures or a lot of talking or reading lessons leaves me constantly fighting against my brain, while bullet point information, other summarized info and visuals, plus hands on experiences help my brain stay connected significantly more. I actually learned a lot of my math when I was “zoned out” working backwards through problems and experimenting, because the puzzle of it was more engaging. Listening to a teacher explain it was like listening to the adults in Snoopy movies!
My son’s ADHD has changed significantly as he’s grown up, so we also need to learn new ways to help his maturing brain and different life responsibilities. I’m going to look into more ADHD strategies for adults, and almost adults, for us to discuss and experiment with.
@JenRR,, Just last night, I read something talking about how an ADHD diagnosis often pops up for women our age due to perimenopause. Something about how all the coping mechanisms we've been leaning on heavily our whole lives are harder to conjure up due to the rewiring of the brain and hormones. That certainly feels the case for me...brain fog and disorganized thoughts are killing me right now!
And now you can implement strategies to help you thrive! Yay for some direction. 🙂
@Cheryl,
Oh my gosh, they are HILARIOUS. 🙂
@JenRR,,
As the parent of a son with ADHD, I highly recommend the magazine ADDitude. I think it comes out quarterly, and there are articles aimed at adults with ADD/ADHD, as well as kids and teens. I've learned a lot, including that it's apparently not unusual for adults with ADHD to be diagnosed when they're adults. (I have no financial interest in the magazine, etc. Just a grateful reader/subscriber).
@JenRR,
Just this evening "Fresh Air," a program on National Public Radio, interviewed a guy who did a cover story for The New York Times Magazine about ADHD. He says that 20 years ago scientists thought they had all the answers to ADHD and Ritalin and such; now, they're not so sure.
Here is the link:
https://www.npr.org/2025/04/24/nx-s1-5374372/millions-of-american-kids-have-an-adhd-diagnosis-is-their-treatment-effective
Today I am thankful:
*that my youngest's injury wasn't a fracture.
*that I will have a new nephew very soon. ***** Correction: I just found out that the new nephew was born at 1:58 this morning!
*for the kindness of all the people who took care of my daughter's foot yesterday.
*for a delicious Greek drive-thru place that has some healthy options.
*that our electricity came back in time for Easter services. Whew! That was quite a windstorm we had there on Saturday!
*for this coffee I'm drinking and for a fun (and educational!) get-together with friends today.
*that son #3 passed his driving test. It wasn't really likely that this one wouldn't, but weird things do happen.
*that son #1 seems to be having a blast at college.
*for year-round homeschooling-- because these last two weeks have had lots of interruptions. That older students manage to get school done more independently. That one daughter just finished her math book, and one son finished biology.
Yay on the new nephew!!
I have two big thankfuls this week. The first is for Mr. Fix-It and his continuing patience with my computer setup process. (It won't come as any surprise to anyone that we've hit a few more bumps in the road.)
The second is that I drove out yesterday afternoon for a long-overdue visit to the friends on whose country property DH’s ashes are buried. (Their schedules, my schedule, our horrendous winter weather, and my broken rib have all gotten in the way.) We had a lengthy catch-up, exchanged LONG-overdue holiday gifts, and then walked out to where DH is resting next to his good llama friend Tilly. He seems to have settled in nicely--and, once again, my gratitude to these friends for this privilege knows no bounds. They, too, are among my "angels among us."
@A. Marie, What a wonderful place for your husband to rest.
Good Luck on your test today & the final stretch. 🙂
Thankful for the warmer Spring weather!! Yes, there's been a few overnight lows in the 30s, but only a hit & miss high of 40s. It actually might hit 80 today! 🙂
Thankful to get a few more things done on my To Do List. Granted, it's not big things, but they all still needed to be done & they are still noticable when completed. I actually would get more done if I could stay off my phone until end of day, that needs more will power.
Thankful for teen who has been so relaxed & happy. 🙂 NO exams, almost done with college for semester, wrapping up scholarships, graduation countdown going well & just not much pressure.
Thankful for kind neighbors who are always open to me sprucing up their outside area that we jointly own/are responsible for. And offering to help occassionaly maintain some of my outside area to help me do a little less work.
Thankful most of the New Spring/Summer products are not something I'm interested in, So I can faithfully work on my original plan for our yard. I know what costs are for few things we want to get & do and are on my (mental) list for thrifting also. Now, if other neighbors (adults & kids) could just learn to keep their stuff in their own yard & not intentionally throw over my (7' in most areas) fence.
Thankful my Aunt actually listens to what I talk about & is confident in sharing some tax information with other family members who recently complained about having to pay their taxes. With some slight adjustments they can add money to accounts that benefit them & reduced taxes or they can adjust & pay more taxes in during year, which results in less money owed & penalties. One of the two family members listened & adjusted.
Thankful my Aunt was happy with her overall hurricane tax return & it was not flagged for review. Her money was deposited quickly & she was pleased with everything. I already have her information for 2025 taxes from the sale of (what's left of) house & the forwarding loss (from 2024) so she has idea of what to expect for next year.
Thankful for the medical staff involved in my dad's radiation treatments & his partner/unofficial step mom who he has learned to be truthful with about his needs & care. Everyone has been so kind & understanding during this uncomfortable period. I'm so grateful for their care for him.
Always Thankful for Kristen & her site where we can learn & share with each other. Some da6s just reading others thoughts & experiences makes me smile and I always learn something new.
Have a great weekend!
@Regina, you are not alone on the phone thing preventing to do list checking. Some days I win and some days I lose...I won't decide to buy one of those lock boxes, but man do I sympathize with people that do.
Hang in there, Kristen. You've got this!
Dare I say, with all your many A's, it looks as if you are going to graduate with honors?!?!
Great going!!!! (Even if you didn't graduate with honors, you're still graduating with a nursing certificate/degree/whatever they call it. Major achievement!)
Wonder Woman has nothing on our Frugal Girl!
We're all so proud of you!
I am thankful for:
--this blog. Being able to share things with the Commentariat is therapy for me. (Ditto, NCA blog).
--I got the new flooring and toilets installed. Even if one potty isn't hooked up yet.
--so far, my Social Security checks have come in for me. They haven't cut them (although I hold my breath until they arrive every month).
--thrift stores. (Made another good haul yesterday.)
--the iris blooming in my yard. They just come up and do their thing every spring without me having to tend to them. The ones in the front yard, which originally came from my grandmother's garden, were so pretty that a neighbor asked if she could take a photo of them with her cell phone... to send to her granddaughter... who is named Iris.
Yes, it will be honors of some sort; I know there are levels to this (summa cum laude? magna cum laude?) but I don't know what the specifications are!
@Kristen,
I forget the specifics, too, but I believe magna cum laude requires the higher GPA of the two. I would not be surprised if you graduate with the highest available honors!
@Liz B.,
Me neither. Our Frugal Girl is one smart cookie!
You got this!!!!
Bring on the crispy! When I read Elisabeth's post this morning, I kept thinking about the phrase "if you live like no one else, later you get to live like no one else", and I think it applies here as well. You are 17 days away from "later"!!!
This week I am thankful:
- that DH had a good appointment at the Mayo clinic. The neurologists are working towards a diagnosis instead of just treating his symptoms. He goes back in a couple of months to do additional testing.
- that there were no flight delays or cancellations on DH's trip to Mayo
- that my sister and BIL came by for a visit and got to see our grandson. It was the first time my BIL had gotten to meet him.
- that my brother's kidney removal surgery went well and he's recovering
- that we will get together with our son, daughter, SIL and grandson to celebrate our son's birthday
@Beverly,
I am so grateful for places like the Mayo Clinic and the Cleveland Clinic, where top experts can (hopefully) diagnose so many medical problems. Wishing you and your DH the best as you navigate DH's medical needs.
Home stretch! YOU GOT THIS!
Kristen, you can do this, it's the final countdown, you will WIN!
My Thursday Thanksgivings:
1. Easter was un uplifting experience, for which I'm very thankful. I had been wondering how I would feel, this first Easter without DH.
2. I'm grateful that the weather cooperated so we could eat our big Easter lunch on my front porch. With the breeze and overhead fans, it was perfect.
3. I'm thankful for the lunch I had at a Cuban restaurant yesterday, when my bosses decided to take me out for "Administrative Assistant Day" or whatever it's called these days. They haven't done this before, but with this being the last one I will have with them, they decided to treat me to lunch. My meal was so big I had it last night, too.
4. I'm thankful that my daughter renewed the contract she pays for trash pickup for me, as a gift to me. My only other option to hiring private pickup is to load up all my garbage and haul it in my car to the roll-off site, where I have to unload it myself; that's the way I had been doing it for close to 50 years. I have to pay an annual fee of $178 to the county for garbage even if I hire a private company to do trash pickup at my house, so I would have never paid for this private service, left to myself.
5. I'm thankful my sister's early-1940's home is getting the wiring redone and new panel installed, and they are almost finished. It needed it! She could only turn on one light by screwing in the bulb then unscrewing it to turn it off, and some lights just turned off by themselves. I was worried for her safety.
@JD, I'm glad for your #5. I'd have been worried too.
1. Thankful that my husband was able to get nerve blocking injections yesterday which should take care of the crippling pain he has been in for the last several months. Seeing the one you love suffer is difficult folks, especially when there is nothing you can really do for them. All prayers and good vibes in this area appreciated.
2. My aunt will be moving into her care home in the next couple of weeks. While I feel some emotions surrounding this like guilt and grief, I also am thankful that I am in a healthy place emotionally and mentally and can allow myself to acknowledge the tremendous relief as well. 20 years ago Angie would not have faired so well and the peace that I feel in this transition speaks volumes. I am so grateful.
3. Thankful for having found a great dentist in my local area. I hate the dentist. But this guy is gentle, kind and does quality work. Despite the fact that he is a dentist I have decided to like him.
4. Thankful to have found a fencing company to install my garden fence for $600 cheaper than my original quote. Bonus that they are a family business in my local area and I can work with them in the future when we need work or need to replace our fence.
5. Thankful for soft rain this week that will hopefully wash the remaining pollen out of the air. A quiet conversation with my husband without any interruptions. A quiet week in general after the absolute chaos that was last week. My sweet Boxer pups without whom I would be lost. My 9 year old son who is growing up so fast I can hardly bear it.
@Angie, I can totally relate to your #2 after 8 years of shared caregiving for an elderly relative who has been in a lovely assisted living facility now for 6 months - a decision that was made not a moment too soon. We stretched beyond our capacity to practically care give. It is such a relief to turn the personal care over to professionals and to have more freedom and flexibility. Daily oversight is still necessary, but sharing the responsibility and self-determination for when that occurs is such a gift.
@Angie, I'm glad for both your #1 and your #2. Re: your aunt, it's a common saying among caregivers that "you have to put your own oxygen mask on first." I'm glad that you have.
Thinking of you in this final stretch and almost feeling the crunch myself for you. You will ace it all and have a summer of celebration.
My thankfuls include a new physical therapy place that is producing great results, which has been so long in coming.
Also, super thankful for my awesome family: a wonderful DH who helps in every way, is talented around the house and so funny. This makes problems endurable. Two kids to be proud of, their sweet families and pups.
Spring!
Your nursing student friends and you all have such beautiful smiles. 🙂
Very thankful that my daughter had a long weekend and was able to spend it at home. She traveled during spring break, so we didn't get to see her .... and she didn't get any down time. Time spent together fed all of our spirits. There are many thankfulnesses (making up words here!) associated with her visit, but I'll leave it at that for today.
@Kris, You’re right, they do have radiant smiles. Lovely to see; glad they gravitated to each other.
Aww, thank you! That was near the end of our study session so we were rather delirious by then. Ha.
The finish line is in sight!!
I wrote my gratitude list today. I was just about to hit the comment button when the page reloaded. That seems to happen a lot on Thursday, but I am thankful for many things.
Wishing you all the blessings of peace, good health, and prosperity.
You know we are all rooting for you on this last hard stretch!
And Kristin -- I loved your story about Leroy! Made my day.
I'm thankful for the sunny, warmer weather we've been experiencing. My asparagus is just starting to poke out of the ground and I had a first harvest of arugula from the greenhouse.
That the place where I had a tooth pulled last week is healing and starting to hurt less.
That a work deadline that has been looming over me is starting to feel less intimidating.
That both my dogs got clean bills of health at the vet -- they are 14 and 9, so officially seniors and I do worry about them.
You are SO CLOSE! You've got this.
1) Grateful for DS18's incredible group of friends. They showed up for him in February for soccer senior night, and again on Monday for tennis senior night. They had posters, and flowers & were generally just there to cheer him on. He's a kid who really appreciates this type of thing (and, shows up for his friends events as well), so I love that they were there for him.
2) That we had a chance to host teens for Easter dinner. They got in the pool, we got to meet DS18's girlfriend, there was a pool volleyball game, everyone loved the food, and we just got to be around teens who are very excited for graduation & the next phase of life. They were so upbeat & fun. To the point of #1, great kids.
3) For my fantastic friends. It's been a real season of life, and I have so many amazing friends who listen & provide helpful (and wanted) advice, or just listen, or hike with me, or whatever is needed.
4) We have had fabulous spring weather (although we're getting some rain for the next few days) & I have had my lunch outside by the pool every day. It makes me incredibly happy.
5) For good books on my Kindle. Bless all of those creative people who write books who can capture your interest & get you so involved that you forget everything else on your mind.
@Hawaii Planner, fingers crossed that all your recent interviews went well!
@Hawaii Planner, I agree on #4. The coming rain will prolong spring, make it easier to continue weeding but of course will cause more weeds to grow. It is always so good to have summer’s heat postponed.
And I agree on #5. Reading is my “Calgon, take me away!” method. (Does anyone else remember that advertisement? I don’t even know what Calgon is, but I remember the slogan.) I’m interested to know what books are really capturing your interest. I got very deep into some fluffy Southern novels (Dorothea Benton Frank) and now am trying to clean up my act by reading Pearl Buck’s Pavillion of Women.
@Central Calif. Artist Jana, Fluffy has its place! Sometime I need a happy ending.
@Central Calif. Artist Jana, I was about to say Calgon was dishwasher detergent but I decided I better look it up. I was way off base! This makes more sense: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yjGPgs0_S0
@Central Calif. Artist Jana,
It was bubble bath, as I remember.
Good Luck, you are Soooooooooo close to the finish line! You've got this!!
Thankful for a lovely trip to Scotland with my Sisters to celebrate my milestone birthday.
Thankful that, while I chipped a tooth on said trip (while FLOSSING my teeth before getting on the long flight over...) that I had no pain or sensitivity while on the trip.
Thankful my dentist could get me in right away on my return, explained everything along the way, took their time with me, and was very good easing my anxiety/fears about getting not one, but 2, crowns for first time.
Thankful that after a 3 hour procedure, all is well now with my temporary crowns and I am not in pain.
Thankful for Dental insurance to cover half, and for my emergency fund to cover the rest.
Thankful that tomorrow is Friday as my jetlag needs a break from work and Dental anxiety -- HAHAHAHA.
Happy birthday!!!
@Kristen, and you as well! April babies!!
Isn't it funny how being outdoors can affect us like that? I often notice just getting outside helps me feel a little better.
I'm thankful for:
- Great neighbors who helped us out this week.
- Starting to feel a little bit of "normal" in our lives.
- More jobs for my husband.
- Our little house
- My garden
- Enjoyable things, like gardening, cooking, decluttering, blogging and reading.
- The steadfastness of the Lord
@Katy @ Practical Walk, amen, amen, and amen!
I am thankful that my friend is on the final stretch of the final stretch. I know how that feels and it's hard.
For swapping unwanted things back and forth with friends. One now has several huge pots ($50-75 size) that I hadn't used in a decade, I have a bagful of food she can no longer eat - nuts and fancy dark chocolate and sherry vinegar and...
For my ability to roll, adapt, and cope. I was given a big travel problem this morning, but because of my coping skills, capability, and experience I didn't lose my cool and dealt with it like it was nothing.
For homemade brownies.
@WilliamB, your coping skills are impressive. If we lived near one another, we’d be swapping yarn and patterns, and I’d have made you brownies to exchange for those huge pots!
After reading this, I’m very very thankful to not be a nursing student.
I will be very thankful to not be a nursing student in 17 days. lol
You just reminded me that I need to sit and journal! Today I am thankful for:
*rain on my newly planted shrubs and seeded grass
*peaceful quiet to sip my iced mid-morning coffee and journal
*co-workers who left me Easter sussies on Sunday (they are so kind)
*Aleve which is tackling my shoulder pain
*leftover pizza!
You are nearing the finish line of your marathon, and you are doing so excellently. We are all cheering you on!
This week I am thankful
-for the smell of rain on our dry garden
- for the colour of the tulips
- for the taste and texture of homemade lemon biscuits
- for how our cat drivels when she is very happy when we cuddle her
- for the laughter at yesterday's blog responses.
- for lucid dreams. I am amazed at what the mind comes up with, both the snippets of earlier days and the detailed stories.
I am thankful for my new laptop! You guys! I was waiting so long for my old one to warm up, then it would freeze on a page. I'd have to start over. To have instant access even after leaving the computer for a few minutes or an hour is sooooo timesaving!
I am grateful for my new DON (Director of Nurses) at my job. Let's just say I follow someone who's priorities are not the same as mine and time management skills are lacking. I rub her the wrong way which has made me feel like I am the problem. Plus, she is loud and animated about it. Yesterday morning, the DON, was quick to remind me of what was really going on and to encourage me by saying she appreciates my skill and thoroughness. Well! Thank you, thank you very much!
Molly, my beloved dog, went to the groomer yesterday. She is aging, doesn't hear well, see well and when a shaft of sun or breeze hits her, she squenches her face and stops, falling on her backside like she's hit a wall. I also think her memory is fading because she forgets why she goes outside in the first place. I was relaying this to the groomer, Katie, (in spite of owning and grooming a lot of purebred dogs), commiserated with me as she adores Molly and her placid demeanor. Later in the day, Katie posted a picture of Molly under her business title, receiving a "healing mud bath" as Sweet, Senior Molly. This is the second one Molly has received and Katie does not charge extra for it. Ohhhh....
Those are pretty spectacular thank you's, so I'll stop there.
Yay for validation at your job!
I'm thankful for
-the colorful blooms popping up everywhere. It's really so lovely.
-a scheduled family break. One daughter is staying with an out of town friend. My husband left last night to pick her up and won't be back until Friday night. That leaves just my younger daughter and I at home and she's on spring break. Quality time is also sometimes personal break time.
- my blood draw being just a week away. I've been working hard on cleaning up my eating and exercising habits and I'm dying to know if it's working. If it's not, I'll kick in phase 2 of the overhaul.
- that my insurance covered $300 of a $375 bill for a doctor's visit for my daughter. I thought they'd reject the claim and just add it to my deductible but for once, they didn't!
-For hot showers, an easily accessible washer and dryer, and for our little robot vacuums.
This week I am thankful . . .
That after today, I have one more day of class, which means one more very long drive to my university and one more very long walk from the parking lot. I hate commuting. I truly do. I don't even do it a lot, and I still hate it with a passion. And I am almost done for the semester!
For a good interview yesterday for my dream job. Over the last five years I have applied to hundreds (literally hundreds) of academic and corporate jobs. I've interviewed for many but never found The One. Maybe there is no true One. But this one has the potential.
For receiving my contract for next academic year at my current job. I'll hang in there and do another year at a job that comes with many wonderful benefits if I have to, and I'll be grateful to have it. But I'm hoping that signing that contract is just insurance, and that I will actually be leaving over the summer.
For my children's health. I am reading Everything Is Tuberculosis. I am a historian, so I can tell you not all histories are created alike. This one is excellent. Among many other reactions to this book, one I am feeling is gratitude for this moment of my children's health. My daughter's epilepsy seems to be under control, and my boys are very healthy. Praise God.
The multigenerational thing is so fun in nursing! It continues throughout your career. Your work besties are all different ages. I love it so much!! They keep me young, I'm about your age too. I've never bought into the nurses eating their young bit. I support each and every one of my coworkers, preceptees, and students. It's awesome to watch them grow and blossom, become all different types of nurses, spouses, parents, etc. Great work with your studies! You will be a fabulous nurse!
All best, dear Kristin! Finish strong!!
*For yoga- it is my church & my therapy
* For stamina & good health. My son invited me to run a 4m race that ended on the 50 yd line of The Ohio State University. I am slow, but I ran the whole thing. And we were able to go to the spring game & see our team get their championship rings
* For migraine meds- I have had migraines since 2nd grade. I am having one now (always barometric changes) & I do not take for granted the efficacy of these meds
* My 2 puppies. They sleep with me & I was so aware this am of how grateful I am not to wake up alone anymore in my king-sized bed.
* For 2 raised gardening beds my sister gave me. I planted kale, Swiss chard, & red romaine in one. (Please note the Oxford comma, whoever listed that!!!!) I just had the romaine & chard on my chicken sandwich & it was divine
I’m finishing the same weekend as you!! Almost there….
Thankfuls:
-3 days in the woods for a field trip. My body loved all the movement, my heart loved seeing kids encouraging each other and pushing each other and my mind loved the break from academic instruction.
-building relationships with coworkers
-seeing my daughter tackle challenges that scared me at her age
-physical exhaustion from hard work. It feels good.
-my health that allowed me to jump into this very demanding trip without a problem.
1. My cardiologist, who noticed that I was about at the end of my rope trying to manage my husband's chemo appointments and my own appointments, and walked me over to the scheduling person and stood there while she rearranged things so my life was a lot easier.
2. The volunteer manager at the food bank, who always checks in to make sure things are going okay during my shift. He is so unfailingly kind to every volunteer, even the complainy ones.
3. My neighbor, who remains civil even though Clobber Paws is now having his spring crazies and managed to knock over the part of the fence he could not jump by repeatedly throwing himself against it until the metal bent. Clobber Paws always goes to this guy's house two doors down, and he leads him back home and praises what a gentle soul he is.
4. Our van has a sunroof which we have never opened and forget about because it has a covering so it blends into the rest of the roof of the car. We did not know there is one button that opens it, until a woman tracked me down in the grocery store to tell me our Dane was trying to crawl out of the sunroof. I am very thankful that she took the time to find me (she had seen me get the wheelchair out of the vehicle and ride off into the store. Apparently the dog opened the roof about 30 seconds later). Husband is trying to disable that button. This car also has a button start, not a key, so I fully expect to come out one day to find Clobber Paws has gone for a joy ride.
5. The husband, always the husband. Forty plus years and he still makes me swoon.
@Lindsey, I love your posts. Your dog makes mine seem immobile & angelic in comparison. And your love for your husband makes me swoon. May he find good health just around the corner. And peace & rest for you
@Lindsey, Seeing your name on a post always brings a smile to my face. I know that there will be a mixture of the most interesting, funny, perhaps hard comments contained in it. Thanks for sharing.
@Lindsey, I echo what Diane and ErikaJS have said, and send my own best wishes as always.
@Lindsey,
Clobber Paws is some dog! Reminds me of Marmaduke in the funny papers....
Thanks for sharing!
Awww, I'm so glad you got help with the complicated medical scheduling. Yay!
I'm giggling at the thought of ClobberPaws going for a joy ride. Heh.
Thankful my nurse friend explained how rest will help my temporarily elevated BP to 210/110 p 100 return to normal. Recently, I had 2 urgent care and 2 NP visits. Beta blocker and BP med with increase so far.
I am learning to rest.
You can do it, Kristen!
This week I am most thankful for a trip home. I got to see my parents, sister and go to a yoga class with a friend. It was a really great visit! I'm also thankful for a quiet week after getting back and being able to go the gym.
I continue to be in awe of the way you have navigated this journey and taken all of us with you vicariously. I have tremendous respect and gratitude for the knowledge your program has given you. Senior-itis is really tough - we are counting down the days with you. When do you take your Boards?
I am grateful for the beauty of spring, the colorful blooms (tulips, flowering trees) and sunshine.
I am grateful to be making some progress with spring cleaning and ruthlessly collecting items to donate - i took a carload to donate today.
I am grateful for my volunteer gig and the lovely women I work with.
I am grateful for small progress I see in loved ones who have challenges.
Yay, Kristen, for the home stretch! Good luck on your last exam. You've worked so hard for this and that will take you through these final weeks in strong form. We're all excited for you!
You can do it!!
This week I'm thankful:
* for my husband. I had to do some hard leadership things this week and he really helped guide me through it. He's so good at this and good at being gentle with people and thinking through what the goals really are... it was a huge gift to have his help.
* for how the Lord provided what I needed through the hard things earlier this week. I certainly didn't have the words or wisdom myself!
* for a great day at work today. I love my Thursday catering gig.
* that we have the keys to our new house! We've been over a few times this week and it's exciting to have the next step in the process. Last week I felt like I kept dwelling on all of the things I'm going to miss from our current house/neighborhood, so it was good to have the excitement of seeing the new place and the joy of looking ahead.
am thankful our vacation to Washington DC went well. hubby was able to drive there from edison nj. which lopped off a lot of driving if we had left from nyc. we got to see the white house even though i mixed up the day. i thought it was 4/17 but it was actually 4/16. apparently, a lot of folks get their dates confused.
i fell at an outdoor mall in maryland called rio. thought i broke my brand new denture. saw my dentist today and she was able to fix it. because it was passover we did not go to any restaurants. huubby and son cooked in our kitchen. we stayed at a homewood suites.
grateful hubby is almost totally himself after his second prostate surgery and the previous nightmare of er visits. grateful to be home. you are almost frugal girl rn. what a great feeling to be almost dunzo.
Hoping you had a great ATI exam!
This week I am thankful:
- For the conversation I just had with my nephew. He has a wisdom and a frankness that gives me hope.
- For people I know (and don't know!) who have chosen careers in patient advocacy or environmental protection.
- For clean air most days.
- For the rhododendrons EVERYWHERE in town. They are so beautiful.
- For access to health care and HCPs that care about their patients.
I'm thankful for:
- my work schedule. 3 days a week, 7h30-3h30. No nights, no weekends, no public holidays. On a floor that I enjoy working on, with mostly friendly colleagues. In health care (hospital) this is pretty great! Also very grateful to be able to afford to work part-time. It's a choice we made early on for the good of our family and to preserve my mental health, and hubby is fully supportive of this. I'm lucky.
- To be able to afford good and healthy food for myself and my family. I take it for granted most of the time... Yet I know not everyone has the means to have a fridge and freezer full of fresh fruits, veggies, meat, etc. With the rising cost of food this is almost a luxury now.
- To live in Canada, a peaceful and stable country
- The power of music. I work with seniors living with dementia and it's pretty amazing how music can be used to engage them.
- Cheap clothes online. I don't want to pay 50$ for a summer dress, sorry.