Thankful Thursday | tired but happy
This week, I am thankful:
for how right my job feels to me
I know that when I started nursing school last fall I said something about how it felt very solidly right...like it is where I am supposed to be.
And as I work at my hospital PCT job, I keep feeling the same way. Yes, it's a lot to learn, yes, it's a little challenging, and yes, my feet hurt after days of consecutive shifts, but the work feels very, very right.
I have lots of great co-workers, and I've had a lot of great patients (who have been very nice about me being new!)
that I have plenty of patience (at least for now)
I recognize that I might become less tolerant over time (ha), but for right now, I'm not really feeling bothered by patient behavior, even when some of my co-workers are ready to pull their hair out.
It's not even like I'm having to try to be patient...I'm just not feeling mad about it. And I'll take that for as long as it lasts!
that I'm getting better at my job every day
Every time I work a shift, I can see that things are getting easier.
I'm figuring out how to manage my day a little better (although at a hospital, there are always wrenches thrown into a routine, no matter how hard you try!), I know how to do more tasks, I know where more things are, and I am also getting better at documenting everything in the hospital system.
that I like talking to people
Despite being extremely homeschooled*(ha), I have always been a person who enjoys talking to other people. I love meeting new people, and I never have any problem thinking of questions to ask them or subjects to bring up.
This is coming in super handy at my job because I am forever meeting new patients and their families, and it makes the working relationship a lot better if we can establish a connection.
*In case you are not aware, there is a stereotype that homeschoolers are poorly socialized and awkward. My take is that whether or not someone is outgoing, talkative, and friendly has a lot more to do with genetics and personality than it does with where you go to school. Which is why some people have gone to public school for all of their schooling but are still labeled "awkward", and why there are some homeschooled kids who are quite socially adept. I think I would have been my same social, friendly self no matter what my education was like.
I also have a totally-not-based-in-research theory: What if neurodivergent parents are more likely to choose to homeschool? If that's the case, then homeschooled children would be more likely to be neurodivergent, which means that their social skills could be a bit off the beaten path largely because of their genetics, not because of their school environment.
But, I digress!
for rotisserie chicken from Sam's
These chickens are such an affordable help in my efforts to meet my protein goal. 🙂
that I got another scholarship awarded
This one was through my delegate's office, and it's $3000 for this upcoming school year ($1500 per semester). Woohoo!
I am so thankful for all the scholarships I have received.
(Here's more info about how I got my scholarships.)
for a sweet gift from a reader
A local reader dropped off some cat magnets for Zoe and me, along with a cute little card. Thank you, Kim! <3
that I haven't been missing any good weather while I'm working
The weather outside this week has been hot, hot, hot, and very humid.
Even at 6:00 am yesterday, the heat index was 92 degrees.
That's good weather for getting my steps in at the hospital vs. outside! 😉
(Also: I stand by my assertion that summer is vastly overrated. I would like to have school all summer and then have the fall off instead.)
for all the shady trees in my yard
On these scorchingly hot days in particular, I am grateful to have so much shade by my house.
Obviously, I still run my air-conditioning. But I am sure that the trees reduce the time the air conditioner needs to be on.
for my health
Two-fold appreciation related to my job: I am grateful to have a body that is healthy enough to work as a tech.
And also, being in a hospital reminds me on the regular that a healthy, functioning body is not something to take for granted.
My lungs work. My muscles work. I have good mobility. My organs are all doing their thing. My skin (ok yes, that's also an organ) is all intact, even if I do have some poison ivy rash scars. 😉
I am thankful for this exercise as there have been some tough situations to deal with this week.
I am thankful for A/C. The humidity combined with the heat has been unpleasant this week but the A/C has made life bearable.
I am thankful to be out early in the morning walking and working in the yard.
I am thankful a niece and her husband stopped by on their cross country trip. I am also thankful I don't hate flying and staying in hotels.
I too am thankful for a healthy body. It may look old but it still works. I was happy to get blood work result with no issues.
I am so happy that things are going well for you! And the salad looks scrumptious.
This week I am thankful that my energy levels are somewhat up again and I feel more my usual self.
I am also thankful for our library where I can borrow so many interesting books.
Deeply thankful for the joy of using words: I love reading all kinds of stuff, and love writing and doing my daily wordle. It is so satisfying to be able to find the words to express myself, both in my mother tongue and in English (my Spanish is still rudimentory). I love playing with words, as much as with music and colour.
For the possibility to quickly communicate with my family through Whatsapp. The more so because I can still correct my messages with a given time. My messages were infamous for their many spelling mistakes, I can simply not get my texts first time right on the phone.
My Spanish is still very rudimentary as well! But I do notice my brain sometimes popping up with the Spanish words for things as I go through my day, so I am happy about that.
@Kristen,
It is great isn't it? And it finally dawned on me what Sierra Nevada meant :-). I ended up looking at a map if I could find Meaningful Names
Haha, I know that feeling. I do that with names of places that are in Spanish; figuring out what they literally mean!
Oh, man... you're scarred from the poison ivy? That sucks. I hate poison ivy so much, and it's so freaking hot and dry out this summer. Why isn't the poison ivy just dying like all the rest of vegetation? It must be possessed...
@Becca, Ha, I ask that same question about ragweed every fall. Big hay fever sufferer all my life.
At least for now, yes. There are dark marks on the underside of my forearms, and on the top side of my right forearm, there's that medium pink skin that forms after a wound has started to heal.
I am hopeful that some of this will fade with time, but we shall see. And next time I have a rash starting, I know I need to go get steroids because my skin does NOT deal with this very well at all.
@Kristen, I have a dog bite on my hip (breaking up a contretemps over bones, sigh, learned a lesson there) that swelled to the size of a sourdough loaf.
So yeah, currently I have an enormous greyish yellow green bruise, a huge swelling, and just for laughs, stretch marks over the swelling. Plus I keep bumping into things because my hip is not supposed to be that wide.
I referred to the lump as my "parasitic twin" and both my kids told me never to say that again. Jeez, I can't even joke.
I'm pretty sure I have a mild (and undiagnosed) form of Ehlers-Danlos. Sonia IS actually diagnosed and it's genetic, so I think she got it from me. Anyway, my skin doesn't heal super well from cuts and scrapes or surgical wounds, so I am guessing my poison ivy scars are just another similar thing.
@Kristen, I have huge dark spot on inside of arm where poison ivy was. Occasionally it does start to itch a little so I get the Aveeno poison ivy lotion back out.
Teen thinks I overreact now when see poison ivy in new spot (in yard) & try to stay away (but need to pull it out so not to spread). Heat & humidity seem to make poison ivy grow more. 🙁
I am a little bit sad over the sprinklings of dark marks on my skin, but I know that is a little vain. The important thing is: it stopped itching! And my skin is intact, serving its purpose.
But yes, like you, my fear of poison ivy is considerably heightened. I was careful before, and I am hypervigilant now.
Oh poor Sonia, that's a crappy thing. Hopefully they'll have some kind of good treatment for it soon. (and for you too!)
I used to be good at scar healing, but not so much any more, I guess cause of lack of collagen as we age? But having two 11 pound babies did a number on my abdomen as far as stretch marks go. And now on my hip. I hope the swelling goes down soon because it looks super odd in my bathing suit.
So far, EDS treatment is largely symptom management. You just try to deal with things as they come up. You strengthen muscles to stabilize joints. You try to be careful about sudden movements that can throw joints out of whack. You get fillings for your decaying teeth. And so on.
A more overall treatment would be wonderful!
@Kristen, Have you tried Mederma cream? It really worked for me to help my scars fade. I think the active ingredient is onion, if I recall correctly.
@Rose, I thank you, Kristen, and the other commenters on this for the info about EDS. I hadn't the foggiest notion what this was, and my education is thus a bit further along.
@Rose,
lol, parasitic twin....I think your kids have seen too many horror films. 🙂
@Liz B., Finally, SOMEONE laughs. I think it's a quality joke.
@Regina, don't pull it - buy Brush-B-Gone or Round-up poison ivy killer. Unless the plant is extremely small, like very recently sprouted, you'll likely not get all the roots. If the vine is growing up a tree, cut the vine and apply straight Brush-B-Gone (I always buy the concentrate) to the cut area. Let the vine dry-die out but depending on where you live, it could take a while (climate change). Never burn a poison ivy vine - the smoke is very lung unhealthy. My job is to cut up said vine (on a downed tree mind you) and place in black garbage bag. Then safe for better half to cut up for firewood.
Interesting homeschool theory. Also, I think having empathy for others is important in being patient. It is so much easier to brush off annoyances when you realize how the offender is hurting in some way.
This week I am thankful:
*that I was not involved in the accidents that left us stuck on the interstate for an hour yesterday.
*for A/C.
*for a yummy salad that we ate last night. For the people (my daughter and husband) who prepared it because I was late (stuck on the interstate).
*that today is the last (planned) day this week that I have to run all over the place for an appointment. It's been a busy, busy week. Also, that this appointment is relatively local--only about 45 minutes away.
*that I've managed to shed my bad attitude regarding my weight loss. I've been plateaued for probably 9 months, and lately I'd developed a really bad attitude about it. I don't think a bad attitude will help me lose weight, do you? So I set a new goal, decided on my next steps, and now I'm feeling a lot more positive about it all.
*for the rain we got yesterday. It wasn't an amazing amount, but we are quite crispy around here; anything is appreciated.
@Jody S,
Being on a plateau for so long is an achievement in itself!
Also I firmly believe that sound habits beat goals in the long run.
@Jody S, I also have been on a weight loss plateau for a while now. But I’ve had a lot of stress & upheaval in my life (big move from one state to another) lately. Just staying at a constant 20 lb loss through it all has been my goal.
@JNL, I wonder if part of my problem was that before the plateau, I had a specific goal in mind. I've been floating about with no goal for all these months because I had been focused for YEARS on that one goal. When I met it, it was as if I didn't have anything to shoot for. So now I set one, and I'll see if it helps. And I am proud that I maintained. That IS a big deal.
@JNL, I fully agree with both assessments. Just holding at the same weight is an accomplishment, and it is all about a long obedience in the same direction. It sounds as if Jody S has found a way to combine exercise and eating to hold steady, even if it isn't at a weight she desires.
For anyone dealing with weight loss, I highly recommend the Half Size Me podcast. The presenter is a homeschooling mom from Florida, and her wisdom has truly changed my life. No fad diets - she really deals with the brain/thinking piece of weight management.
I am also thankful for Sam's Club rotisserie chickens. The price in our area is $5.99. If you go to buy a raw whole chicken, it's $1.99/lb and comes out to more than $5.99. So if someone is going to cook it for me at a reduced price, I'm game!
Thankful that we spent a wonderful weekend with family and everyone made it home safely. There were some people missing, but on the whole, we had a great time with family.
Thankful I made it over the Mario Cuomo Bridge on my bike. It was the hills on the other side that did me in. But the actual ride over the bridge was fun. (It is the new Tappen Zee Bridge in Westchester County, NY, that goes over the Hudson River with beautiful views).
And I am also thankful for my health. Yes, I am overweight, but every time I get on my bike to ride 10-15 miles, I am reminded of my good health. Hopefully, I will be able to continue to ride when I retire in 21 months. (And yes, I am counting!) One goal in retirement is to ride in all 50 states!
Also thankful for air conditioning. It has been working a lot this summer! In the NYC area this weekend, the humidity was horrid! Stay cool!
@Maureen,
Kudos on biking the Tappan Zee Bridge ( I hate calling it the Mario Cuomo Bridge, even though I liked the guy!) It's a beautiful bridge to drive across, I can't imagine biking it, but then, you had no cars to contend with!
That is precisely my line of thinking about the chickens! Why roast one myself??
@Maureen, 10-15 miles with hills is very impressive!
@Barbara and @Maureen, I refuse to call it anything but the Tappan Zee. (Or, as our family called it, the Chimpan Zee.) I also refuse to call the Triboro Bridge the RFK Bridge.
@Rose, RFK was a good guy and our country would be in a much better place had he been elected president in 1968.
@Selena, my guess is that Rose and Maureen are protesting the name changes simply because name changes being annoying, because what's wrong with keeping the historical names? We have similar situations in our neck of the woods, and it is truly annoying.
YES to the added realization that being in healthcare gives you appreciation for organ systems/bodies that function normally. Because of my job in healthcare, Every single day I'm thankful for the parts of my body that work. I tell my children all the time that its such a gift to exercise and move your body. Don't take it for granted and don't miss an opportunity to move your body because there will be a day (hopefully well down the road) that things might not work so well.
This morning I was doing a workout and in the midst of it, I wanted to quit. And then I thought about how some of my patients would give anything to even be able to do a workout at all!
And I also remembered that a big reason I work out is so that I can be strong enough to take care of my patients. 🙂
I like your ND homeschooler theory. Though this would also make the cause of social awkwardness environmental, bc the ND homeschoolers would be raised by ND parents. I think it’s both genetic and environmental.
I am a public schooled socially awkward child of extremely socially awkward parents. I married a man with much better social skills than mine, though he’s still a nerdy introvert. I have worked hard to improve my social skills.
We have two boys- we adopted our eldest at birth and he is extremely extroverted and socially gifted. He’s always been this way. Then we had a surprise bio kid, who is a whole lot like me.
However, he has the great advantage of a big brother social coach. I would take them to the park when they were little and my oldest son would actually go find a kid for my youngest to play with. It went like this, completely unprompted by me:
Oldest son to random park kid: “Hey, how old are you? You’re 4? What’s your name? Joey? Joey, this is my little brother, S. He’s also 4. Joey, do you like tag? Ok, S and Joey, go play tag.” Then they would do it! It was incredible to watch. My older son is always coaching my younger son on how to make friends, how to keep them, etc. The younger one comes home with social angst from school and the older one gives him tips and advice. Which is great, bc I have no idea, honestly. Don’t get me wrong, they also fight like wildcats. They are either best friends or at war, like most brothers.
Anyhow, I just dropped my youngest off at camp and he told me proudly that he’s getting a lot better at making friends. He typically dreads camp bc it’s a whole new group of kids to break into/figure out. I also hated camp as a kid. But he’s enjoying it this time because he’s been working on his social skills, with the help of his personal big brother social coach.
@Tarynkay, this sibling love just warms my heart. Your youngest is getting a lot of help and your oldest is learning such important lessons in empathy and being inclusive. I hope they continue to be close as they get older 🙂
@Tarynkay,
About your kids: I love this!
@Tarynkay, Wow, what a lovely story of brotherly love and of adoption. Your boy, and you, are very lucky and you show how much you appreciate it, too. Props to your older boy!
@Tarynkay, what marvelous boys you have! Thank you for telling us about them.
@Tarynkay,
I went to public school -- I'm so old, homeschooling was unheard of back then! -- and due to being raised as an only child + being the tallest kid in the class and a klutz on the playground who got made fun of all the time, I was shy and socially awkward. As a child and as a teen, I stammered a lot. Going away to college helped some, but it wasn't 100%. When I graduated and entered the workforce, I realized this was a real detriment in my career. I took the Dale Carnegie Course and it really helped a lot! People even more bashful and tongue-tied than I was also took it and it was like watching a miracle, seeing them come out of their shell. It costs an arm and a leg, but it is very, very much worthwhile! Not only do I rarely meet a stranger, but I can easily talk in front of others. When I had to switch careers, I got into school teaching -- I could have never done this had I not taken the course and gotten over my fear of public speaking, meeting others, and understanding others' points of views. So if you think you really need some help in this area, take the "Dale" course. It may not be frugal due to the cost, but I guarantee you it will really pay off and you'll be glad you invested in yourself.
@Tarynkay,
I was a public school educated socially awkward child as well (and now a socially awkward adult), with an over-the-top social mom (dad was less social, but not awkward). My three sisters were much more socially comfortable than I was, but never really coached me. I think they were all baffled by my lack of social skills, frankly. I would have loved if one of them was like your "social coach" son! How wonderful that your two sons have such a great relationship, and that your younger son is finding his way. 🙂
@Tarynkay, that is such a blessing. my older daughter is very introverted. my son who is 2 and a half years younger tries to help her. she is at an art internship for high school credit and is slowly coming out of her shell. i was a total introvert but somehow grew out of it.
@Tarynkay, that is so awesome! I was the oldest of 4 and in my 70s, I still have difficulty making friends--and keeping them, because I realize I don't put out enough effort. I also tend to avoid social gatherings as much as possible because of that awkwardness, even church functions--and I LOVE my church! I would have loved to have an older sibling to teach me all those things! What a blessing your two boys are--one willing to teach, one willing to listen and all of you benefiting from it.
I remain very thankful for this blog! And also:
- a teacher schedule that allows me time in summer to read, cook, walk more and also support friends (I took a friend into the city for surgery yesterday and she is convalescing with us)
- that we got hurricane rain rather than damaging winds (I'm holding everyone affected in my heart)
- supportive medical and community services as we learn more about my husband's Alzheimer's journey
- a sister I adore and speak with daily even though she lives on the other side of the county
xo
@Shelagh, my heart goes out to you about your husband's Alzheimer's. One resource that has helped me tremendously is alzconnected.org, the Alzheimer's Association's site for online exchanges among caregivers and among people with AD themselves. The discussion line for caregiving spouses or partners, in particular, kept me sane for the 11+ years I was dealing with DH's AD.
Thank you @A. Marie - I was very grateful to you for sharing your experience through this blog, and was sorry to hear that your darling husband had passed. I've found the Alz Society up here in Canada to be wonderful as well; my husband attends a weekly social group and will soon be part of friendly visiting, and I attend monthly caregiver Zooms and topical webinars. I'm spending much of my teacher-librarian summer enacting our POA on my DH's accounts and trying to plan for future; I'm 55 and really should continuing working for another 2 years to ensure our financial health. Day at a time!
I am so sorry to hear of your husband's Alzheimer's. And I am so glad that you have found some resources to help you guys along this path.
Thankful for last night's rain, which wasn't as much as I was hoping for, but which at least gets me off watering duty for a day or two. (And thankful that we didn't get any of the other effects of Storm Beryl. My sympathies to those in Texas, etc., who are still enduring life without electricity.)
Thankful that my next-door neighbor (NDN) had a good session yesterday with her PCP. Her other close friend [CF] usually does this, but CF is still recovering from shoulder surgery, so I did the honors yesterday--and I was glad to meet the doctor myself. He spent a lot of time with NDN, checked her out carefully (more so than my PCP does me, actually), and was very patient with her occasional meanderings and indecision. (For instance, she urgently needs a bone density test, in both my and the doctor's opinion, but we couldn't persuade her to do more than think about it.) He did, however, give her a sample 4-pack of protein supplement drinks and put her under orders to gain some weight; she's down to 94 pounds.
Congratulations on receiving another scholarship!
I'm thankful:
- That our grandson has learned to roll from back to tummy. It's so fun to watch him grow and learn.
- That the old house is almost ready to be put on the market. I am so looking forward to not spending money getting it ready and for it to sell so we can replenish our savings.
- That my company is willing to put me on overhead at the end of the month until a new project becomes available. After 20 years with the company, it's so nice that they have my back. Seven members of my team have been told that there is nothing for them at the company after the end of the month. All of them have been with the company 2 years or less.
- That the temperature and humidity have been lower the past few days. Makes cleaning out the garage a little easier to bear.
- For my 2010 Honda Pilot. We have made countless loads using her during this move. She has been such a great vehicle over the years.
@Beverly, I think that one event at any Frugal Girl meetup ought to be the Classic Cars Rally. Your 2010 Honda Pilot, my 2010 Honda Element (only 76K miles and still going strong), and every other one of our cars that's over a decade old and still giving good service should be included.
@A. Marie, I love the Classic Cars Rally! My 2010 Pilot has 135,000 miles on her, but she is still going strong. Her paint job is showing her age though.
@Beverly,
Forgive my ignorance, but the company putting you on overhead means they're keeping you (not laying you off, furloughing you, etc)? Do you still get paid, or just "not let go"? Which is good either way. I'm thrilled to hear of a company treating a 20 year employee the way they deserve to be treated.
@Beverly, I am also thankful for my 2012 Honda Pilot. It’s my 3rd Pilot and has been a great car for our brood of 5 + our 70+ lb mutt.
Regarding the paint, does your Pilot happen to be white? I ask b/c my paint had begun flaking off around one window and I’ve found through some research that there was a defect in the white diamond pearl paint from certain model years.
@A. Marie, well my 2004 Honda that ASIL was driving got totaled out by another driver (but eh, due to the high price of used cars, ASIL made a tidy profit). But I could show up in the 1968 my original owners parents have. It ceased being a daily car after 20 years but he's still an awesome machine. They truly don't make them like they used too.
Thankfulness
1. Our new home is 1.5 miles from work, allowing me to ride my bike to work. I have always wanted to live close to places I need to go (i.e. work), so I love this.
2. That I caught a budget error in my August budget before August. I used last year's budget and forgot about my house payment.
3. That I have enough money to not freak out totally over the error above. I recognize this has not always been the case in my life and I'm so, so thankful for my job and past me for being mindful of my money.
4. For my partner, who surprised me by wanting to meet the neighbors! I would also like to live in an area where I know and trust my neighbors, but you can't do that if you don't meet them!
5. For a healthy body that allows me to do most of what I want.
6. For coffee, libraries, Buy Nothing (yay for a sturdy rocking chair!!), and this site.
@Angel, I’ve been using my buy nothing group quite a bit lately. I’m so thankful that we’re able to help each other out by it.
@Kaitlin, I'm also sometimes glad that the things I thought I wanted were picked by another person because I have a tendency to "over acquire" and then have to list them myself to give away!
@Angel, how do you budget? Paper forms, spreadsheets, app?
@Kaitlin, we have gifted quite a few items to our Buy Nothing group during the move. It's nice to see things we no longer need go to people who can use them.
@Book Club Elaine, I have google docs. For each month I have three sheets. One sheet is the "I get paid $$$$ and this is where it's going"
Two is a summary sheet of the month with the categories (top has regular bills, bottom is the squishy stuff like groceries and personal care)
Three is the tracking sheet that feeds into sheet Two.
My issue came when I used last year's August sheet, forgetting that my housing amount was small enough to come out of one check - with the new house, I split it between two paychecks.
I guess I vented yesterday and wrote all my thankfulness, heehee. Anyways, CONGRATULATIONS on the scholarship! Awesome! I have a couple grandkids in college, one in grad school (medical research) and the other just graduated from mechanical engineering, and they both were super grateful and thankful for scholarships!!
I am thankful it is not 92 heat index at 6 am in Iowa! Ooff that is steamy!
Stay cool and thanks for wanting to be a nurse!
I was a very socially awkward child but in some ways I think it helped to be placed in an environment outside my home for education. Not that I think school has to be the only place for that, but I think it's good to learn in different environments. This is very general, of course. It helped that I went to a small school.
I'm happy that you feel so at home, Kristen!
My thankfuls...
1. I'm thankful to be done with work for a few weeks, I said this last week but am still thankful for it!
2. I'm thankful that I faced a fear of heights and climbed a local tower. I always wanted to climb it and see the view but always put it off because I'm also not crazy about heights. But I decided to try it and figured that if I got too uncomfortable I could just stop and walk back down...and it was fine! And SO worth it for the view! On a side note, I only have a mild fear, not a full-blown phobia of heights, and would not recommend it for the latter!
3. I'm thankful for a great haircut yesterday! I've needed a haircut for months but kept not getting round it because I was so busy but finally had time this week! My hair looks so much better and feels so much lighter!
4. I'm thankful that my understanding of Danish has improved so much. I went to see a film the other day which was mostly in Korean but I could understand it from subtitles.
5. I'm thankful for a helpful shop assistant yesterday who helped me pick out a tool I need for some DIY.
@Sophie in Denmark, way to go in climbing that tower!
@Central Calif. Artist Jana, thank you!!! I'm very proud of myself!
@Sophie in Denmark, what a heathly/logical view that you could just stop when uncomfortable & go back. Glad you were able to make it to the top. 🙂 Small steps help us move forward (& overcome negative thoughts).
So much gratitude - love to see it and yes definitely contagious 🙂
I am grateful to get to see my parents in Florida this weekend and that I still have them around
I am grateful for a cool home during this terrible heat wave
I am grateful for good books - being enthralled by a good book is just the best
I am grateful for our yard. I love spending my morning time out there puttering around, checking out the plants, and enjoying the silence.
I am grateful that we got a good couple hours of rain last night - goodness knows if was needed
@AFVirginia, I love your word about some books: enthralling. At stressful times, the right book can take you away from your worries for a while. And that libraries make them free is awesome.
@AFVirginia, I agree wholeheartedly with you about books as a great escape, and puttering in the yard before it gets hot each day is such a gift.
@AFVirginia, do you have any “good” books you’d recommend?
I just finished The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese and prior to that book, A Table for Two by Amor Towles. Both books are SO good! I highly recommend them.
I’m interested in hearing how you get enough protein. I decidedly do not despite best efforts!
Come visit me for summer and my area may change your mind about its beauty: yesterday was a “scorcher” maxing out at 79 degrees. Dropped to 50s overnight and my house is cool without AC. Winter here is hard (and beautiful) but summer totally makes it worth it. I do not miss my growing up summers in Philly without AC. So sticky. So hot. Nor do I miss Oklahoma
summers. So so so hot. But here is delightful!
Thankful:
1. For time to sleep in summer. I’m still busy (work and grad school) but it’s only one job and an easier one than teaching so I get to relax a bit more.
2. People who have brought me meals to help ease my evening load so I can get this class done.
3. Coffee. Hot or ice cold it tastes delightful. It helps me stay awake. It brings me comfort. It warms my bones. It’s a very big small joy each day.
4. Buy nothing groups: I’ve been able to give away quite a bit to people who will use the stuff which helps with downsizing, my current goal.
5. The joy my kids experience in sorting Lego. I think we sorted thousands of pieces this week, and it really helped my kid who was super stressed out to relax and find happiness.
6. The people at my kid’s martial arts…dojo (is that the right word? Coaches, parents, kids…all of them make the environment an inviting place fully of community.
Two weeks ago I think I mentioned on here how hard it was to be thankful. Two weeks can make such a big difference. A good truth to remember.
Oh my goodness, that sounds so fabulous. I will put Michigan on my list of places to consider!
@Kaitlin, so glad that you are finding some joy in your world right now. 🙂
Kristen, I too would LOVE to learn more about your protein recommendations since I have a need in that area.
Ok, duly noted! I'll start a post draft on that.
@Kaitlin,
Yes yes to coffee and Buy Nothing groups. I've been given some wonderful things, and have given away a lot of things that have cluttered our home. Win win.
As far as the name of where various martial arts are held, I think it depends on the martial art, and its country of origin. For example, Tae Kwon Do is held in a dojang (sounds like "doe-chang").
@Erika JS, I learned recently that most adults over 50 need more protein and less carbs, because of age. It's not hard to eat less carbs, as food labels are very helpful, and surprising as I hadn't thought much about them before. I have been cooking even more green veggies, and less bread, cakes, cookies, pasta, rice, etc., and more meat. Maybe it will help you to know that the product sold as "keto rice," which is finely chopped cauliflower, is truly awful. It does not substitute for rice at all and is not worth any amount of money to buy. I tried it with a free coupon and was so glad I hadn't spent any money on it. Another great source of protein is eggs; and plain yogurt; and cheese.
Kristen, my first thought about home schooled children is that their parents chose that because of neurodiversity. We had a hellish time getting our Aspie kid through public school.
I am thankful that yesterday was relatively cool, that everyone with doctor's appointments at my house received good news, the newest rescued pup is such a snuggly girl when she's not wreaking destruction on her toys, and the AC is working in my old Honda again after a minor fix.
@Ruby, it seems as if many of us on this commentariat have old Hondas for which we are very grateful. ('96 Accord, 251,000 niles)
@Central Calif. Artist Jana and @Ruby, see my comment to @Beverly above about having a Classic Cars Rally at some future imaginary Frugal Girl meetup. I think that our four Hondas would be leading the pack.
@Ruby, I hear you about your local public schools. The city public schools didn't know what to do with me 60 years ago, and I can well imagine that things have only gotten worse since then.
@Ruby, Yes, even if we hadn't already been homeschooling, when our fourth came along, I can't imagine him in the public or any institutional school.
@A. Marie, my little Honda Fit turned 14 in May. It has not yet hit 70K miles. It's the perfect size car for me, and the mileage has stayed low because my husband and son, who are a foot taller, do not find it comfortable to drive much. DH will borrow it to haul woodworking and gardening stuff, but that's about it.
Fate willing, it will be my forever car.
@A. Marie, this was schools in the state just south of us, but things were just as bad there. I felt like we'd been let out of jail when he graduated.
Some people have jobs. Some people have callings. I'm thankful Kristen found her calling (well, another of her callings!), not just for her sake but for the benefit of all of the people she will help.
Yay for the scholarship!!
And I agree with your homeschool theory on all points.
Thankful for A/C! It is miserable in South Carolina.
Thankful for DS1's safe return from France, visiting his wife's family for a couple of weeks. His family will stay one more week.
Thankful that DS1's pup, staying with us and collapsing (and more) on day 2, made a full recovery after a scary emergency vet trip. And thankful for a caring veterinarian who called the day after he (the pup not the vet) was released to see how pup is doing.
So thankful for a DH who does all the things, always has, and is funny and pleasant too.
Thankful for today's reprieve from the hot weather. Supposed to last for just a few days but I’ll enjoy it while it’s here.
Thankful for PT that’s helping me a little….but, not too thankful for a physical therapist who is quite curt bordering on mean. That was not my prior experience and I don’t quite know what to do about it.
@Erika JS, Could you ask that another PT be assigned to you? Talk to the guy's supervisor and say you two just aren't on the same wavelength? Tell the PT you don't appreciate his attitude and that he needs to learn some manners? You have options!
@Fru-gal Lisa, Thanks for your good suggestions, I really appreciate them. It’s a she by the way. I’ve thought about doing both of those things—ruminated about them a lot. But it’s a small facility that’s part of our excellent, nationally-rated hospital. I would see her every time. I could go to another, commercial facility but I want to remain in this one. Making waves isn’t easy for me if I have to continue to be around the person. Introvert here!
This is why I adore Rose's, Lindsey's and your stories, among other courageous readers ha.
I may try to speak with her next session.
@Erika JS, Sometimes making waves can come too easily to a person like me. I can give people great news and they still end up mad at me. My husband can give people terrible news and they end up apologizing to him for putting him in that position.
@Erika JS, I'm like the most introverted person on planet earth. But I don't have any problems complaining or making waves, opening my big yawp, public speaking, or whatever, though. Introverted does not mean shy.
Also I care more about my opinion than other people's opinions. If something is bugging me, I know I will be irritated with myself in future if I don't say something.
I don't have problems making friends, though. I think we autistic people call it "masking." I call it "turning on the charm." But as an introvert, it gets tiring after a while and I need to go home and be surrounded with books and dogs and quiet.
@Erika JS,
I agree that you should say something to your PT. (I'm an introvert, too, and I know how hard that is to do). I sometimes write down and practice what I'm going to say before I say it, if that makes any sense.
I had PT after a recent total knee replacement, and during my second visit, the PT tech said something about how I wasn't making enough progress, I might need to use a brace, etc. I was both angry and frustrated....it was only my second PT session. I did say something the next visit, and I never had to work with the PT tech again. I've seen her there since, and it's a non issue. I hope it works out for you!
Schadenfreude. Oh, how sweet it is! Aaaahhhhhh! Yes, yes, YES!
Now where were we?
To borrow a phrase from Esther Perel...say more. I'm not following your train of thought here.
@Kristen, I got such juicy gossip about my ex! YAY! Woo! Sorry, I was probably crying tears of joy as I typed. hahahahahahaha!
Oh, oh, ok. I was trying to consider if you thought my gratefulness for my healthy body was some kind of schadenfraude and I was feeling so confused!
@Rose, "Pleasure derived from the misfortunes of others" — what?? Not tracking with you here.
@Central Calif. Artist Jana, ex is experiencing some well deserved baaaad karma.
@Rose, I knew that schadenfreude meant hearing that someone in your life had a comeuppance. But my first thought was your awful tenant maybe getting convicted.
@Erika JS, Not at all! In fact he reopened the restaurant he's squatting in. How he has a liquor license, I don't know, because he's a convicted felon.
@Rose, Good grief!
@Rose,
Hooray for bad karma for the ex!! And yeah, who did your awful ex-tenant pay off to get a liquor license?!?
Congratulations on that scholarship - it is no small thing. That feeling of this is where I'm supposed to be? That is one of the best feelings! I had that the minute I started in the rad tech program. It was stressful and I had the added challenges of raising two toddlers and having financial troubles, and we had so many struggles at home. The days were so long and I was always exhausted. But I felt like I was on a sure and certain path, and I had never consistently made A's in my college work before, so I knew it was right for me. August marks 30 years in this career, and I am so grateful that everything aligned and I made it work, both for myself and my family. When you finish school, you will feel empowered to do ANYTHING you want. (:
1) I'm thankful that i have time to be in career exploration mode, vs desperately taking the first job I come across. This layoff has allowed me a lot of time to think about what I need/want in what comes next.
2) Super thankful that the teens did well on the AP tests, setting themselves up well for college & class registration.
3) Also thankful for AC, which I used last night, when our bedroom was 85. We try hard to use it sparingly, and typically have good luck getting it cooled down by opening up doors & windows, but some days...
4) Grateful for garden veggies, even if we are fighting the squirrels & rabbits for them.
5) For a healthy body, even though right now I'm dealing with a hip flexor strain that's making running impossible, I know a) this is a short term thing that will heal up with some rest and b) I'm so lucky that I'm normally healthy enough to work out & have energy every day.
Kristen, your joy in your current circumstances is palpable. I'm so happy for you.
I think your empathy helps you connect with your patients, and that is a wonderful skill to have. I had a lightbulb moment as a young therapist. It was easy for me to fall into the trap of judging my patient's attitudes and behavior, but one day I realized that most people who are hospitalized have had their lives abruptly disrupted. Their reactions are a combination of fear and anger with their current circumstances. They have lost, at least temporarily, control over their life trajectory. Most of us aren't at our best when that happens. I remember thinking that it's easy to be patient with persons who are pleasant, but it takes skill and kindness to work well with those who are acting in a not-so-nice manner. All to say ... while you may not be as professionally skilled, yet, as some of your coworkers, you may be ahead of the game when dealing with people. 🙂
OK, enough of me on my patient-care soapbox. Thankfulness for this week includes my two funny cats .... probiotics working well for my daughter whose tummy has been acting up .... my son coming home over the holiday weekend (!!!!!) .... my sweet husband .... a fun extended-family gathering over the weekend.
I have thought about that very thing so many times! That when I see people, they are generally nowhere near their best selves. Also, their family members are probably not their best selves either; everyone is stressed and displaced. So, it's a very good time to have lots of grace for people.
And also, I remind myself that even when I can't fix a problem practically, some empathetic listening does wonders for people. When they feel seen and heard, they often are able to calm down a little, and then they're in better shape to face whatever problem is in front of them.
@Kristen, so so true! Empathetic listening is very powerful, and as a bonus to health care workers, it tends to de-escalate highly emotional situations. Years ago I read something written by a family physician who was well-regarded by his patients. He said that, when he could, he would try to sit down while talking with patients. It gave his patients the feeling that he was taking extra time with them (to my way of thinking, it also feels like you are being "equal" with them to be on their physical level instead of towering over them), even though, time-wise, he wasn't staying longer with them than when he stood up. It isn't always logistically possible for me to do that, but when I can, I find it to be helpful for creating rapport. It's such a joy to have a good connection with patients and families. I love it when I read tips like that.
@Kris, and @ Kristen,
Well said, both of you. Having worked in a hospital for 37 years, I am grateful for those patients who are pleasant, gracious, and sometimes even humorous, even though you know they don't feel good, and are facing (sometimes several) health challenges. Those who are less pleasant need our empathy even more. I wrote a guest blog post for (the now defunct) The Sarcastic Nutritionist years ago about my experience as an inpatient at the hospital where I work. You're confused, scared, worried, you've given up control, all the things.
I 100% agree that finding some common ground makes a big difference. Patients feel heard, and know that you see them as a "whole" person.
@Liz B., Hospital patients do need extra consideration. It seems unfair for healthy people (staff) to react to patients' behaviors in a negative way, for all the reasons you mention. Years ago, Bruno Bettelheim, a psychiatrist who treated traumatized children after WWII, wrote about how the most difficult children are the ones who most need loving patience. I think that's true of adults as well, as we are reduced in many instances by the hospital experience to childlike states. Just for inpatient procedures I have sometimes felt embarrassed and depersonalized, and also handled physically by people who do not give me any clue who they are, or what they are doing. There is something wrong with a system that requires hurting sick people to "buck up" to be pleasant, polite, engaging, and smiling...
I have the Weather Channel app on my phone and I have the locations of home and each of my kids. We are North of Charlotte and it has been a particularly brutal start to summer. So, I have added Death Valley and Las Vegas to my list just to remind myself that it can be worse.
Hooray for the scholarship!
It's been hard to be thankful this week, as my car was finally officially diagnosed with a problem which is NOT a recall but is a TSB - a service bulletin issued by the manufacturer about a known problem which is not considered a safety issue, hence no recall and hence, they are not required to notify the owner! Owners just have to find out when the car messes up. The manufacturers have a time and mileage limit to get the TSB repair made for free, which of course, I had already passed. And the issue was found... just after my purchased full-coverage warranty had expired, go figure. The warranty company says my car has too many miles over the mileage limit to give me a grace period, so they won't pay a penny. Price to repair - $7,415 at the dealer's for an engine replacement.
I'm going to be thankful where I can be.
1. The service tech assumed my warranty covered the repairs, and gave me a loaner to drive for free while my car was in the shop, because the warranty covers the cost of a loaner. He didn't charge me for the loaner even when he found out my warranty had expired. Let's hope no one else there decides to come back on that and gets him in trouble.
2. He chopped about $200 off the bill I had to pay for diagnosing the problem. I'm also thankful that I can drive the car, if I keep an eye on my coolant level.
3. My local independent mechanic doesn't do large repairs - he's just a two-man operation and incredibly busy doing smaller jobs - but he gave me a recommendation of another mechanic, who will look for a pre-owned engine to help lower my costs, and who will do the installation if they find one.
4. My sister is coming for a visit and should arrive today.
5. I actually received the modest burial benefit available to survivors of vets who received disability benefits (DH was rated 10% service-connected disabled and got a wee monthly check) in a timely manner, which is almost a miracle right now, as the VA is horribly behind and messed up these days.
Ugh, that is a lot of frustration related to the car! I applaud your efforts to find the bits of good in the difficulty.
@JD, I am so sorry about your car situation. Good for you for finding the small things that you can give thanks for. If your car is a popular model, the mechanic should be able to find another engine for you. Hopefully with lower miles on it, thus extending the life of your car.
@JD, if & when you get another/newer engine please remember to take engine receipts to your insurance company for updated info. My (now Ex) husband vehicle engine needed replacement & I ordered new factory ($10,000) & then my vehicle did similar within few weeks. We purchased aftermarket (NAPA) new engine because needed vehicle repair done quickly since needed for work. My vehicle engine quit day after installed & NAPA refused replacement or refund (even with warranty so I do not recommend to people).
Husband wrecked/totalled vehichle (with new engine) & when insurance payout offer came I questioned amount & commented on recent new engine. I took new engine paperwork to insurance & they update which increased value of vehicle (significantly). We got lucky that insurance updated & adjusted date to earlier when engine completed, but do recommend updating ASAP with insurance when get new engine.
Best of luck in this stressful situation.
@JD, Please let us know the make and model of your car + the problem, so the rest of us who may own similar cars can check on ours before our warranty expires.
@Regina, Thanks for that valuable info! I had no idea, and I'm sure most of the rest of us didn't know that either.
@JD, you need a Honda! A.Marie, @Ruby, @Beverly, mine, all going strong in their advanced years.
@JD, I'm so sorry that you're having to deal with this car BS on top of everything else. But I'm glad your sister will be visiting, and glad that you got the VA burial benefit for your DH.
@Central Calif. Artist Jana, and @Lindsey G too.
@Fru-gal Lisa,
Ford Escapes 2017-2019 and Fusions, 2017 - 2019 often had this problem of coolant leaking into the engine block.
I am so very thankful for safe travels, for time spent with both of my adult children (at the same time!), for a/c, for my dogs and cats who always bring me joy, that a friend who was very sick is now improving, for automatic sprinklers, fruit trees, and freedom.
I've been teaching people how to draw for 30 years and have observed that the home-schooled kids are the easiest to be around, the hardest working, the most socially adaptable to being with people of all ages.
Thankfuls:
Central air in the house
Swamp cooler in the workshop
wall unit in the studio
mini-split in the bedroom
That summer is temporary.
Agreed on the joy of knowing summer doesn't last forever. Thank heavens!
Homeschooled kids are usually really good with adults, since they spend an unusual amount of time with adults. On the flip side, sometimes we homeschooled kids feel a little socially awkward around other kids, especially if those kids aren't homeschooled. It seems like it's tough to be really good at both things!
@Kristen, hey, I wasn't homeschooled, and I never felt at home among most other kids. (But it's been a great joy that almost all of the few exceptions who became friends have made contact with me via the Internet in later life. The Net ain't all bad by any means.)
@A. Marie, same here! Nor was I that great with adults lol. I just enjoyed reading! Funnily enough, I'm much more social (although still introverted) as an adult. I was never homeschooled.
Thankful's.
1. That the stupid hurricane in Texas bunny hopped (well, it kinda sorta did) over Killeen where my daughter is stationed. That being said, my thoughts are with those who got hammered.
2. For our very timid cat who showed up out of the blue begging for food (pretty sure somebody just dumped her which is a awful thing to do) who after a very long time and ALOT of effort has decided to trust me enough to let me pet her gently while I gripe about how hot it is. Cheese helps.
3. I'm in total agreement with you on rotisserie chickens. Add some fresh fruit, a loaf of french bread and there's dinner. A relief on those days when I'm a hot, tired cranky, sweaty beast who's in no mood to cook.
4. That I'm a bit of a minimalist (not counting my ridiculous amount of books of course) and housework doesn't take me a ton of time to get done. I'd rather be doing other things on my days off thanks muchley.
5. For my husband. Who seems to like me just fine despite having to put up with my writers weirdnesses all these years. Case in point: one morning as he went out the door I handed him what I thought was a grocery shopping list for a few things. Later that evening I got a phone call from him informing me that he'd been all over the store but it seemed that they were all out of Bipenis axes, conch shells and amber.
Whoops.
Wrong list.
The guy makes a mean omelet as well which is great when I'm glued to the computer wrangling with the occasional story tangle and it's time to eat.
@April, have you done a Meet-A-Reader? I'd love to know what sort of writing you do!
Glad your job is working out & you feel great satisfaction in it. Good job on the scholarships! Every penny, nickel, dime, quarter & dollar helps. Keep applying to scholarships that are right for you--I love that I have seen scholarships available that are not for books & tuition, but gas, food & supplies.
FYI--TODAY ONLY 7/11 is free slushie for each customer at 7/11 stores. No coupon or app required.
Thankful that we didn't float away from the storm(s) Tuesday & Wednesday (storm Barrel). We were in the highest amount of rainfall area(s) getting (officially reported) 2"+ in first round of thunderstorm (in hour(s) before storm Barrel on Tuesday afternoon) & 6" rain Tuesday night into Wednesday afternoon. Rain gauge showed 8"+. My (empty) 90 gallon rain barrel was overflowing Tuesday night (sometime). The ground is so saturated we sink walking in yard/grass.
Thankful we had minimal flooding in basement. Most water was water that came in from sump pump opening (where water goes out) from saturated ground.
Thankful that the sand bags we put in front of garage did their job & zero water in garage.
Thankful knew multiple ways & different back roads to get home (teaching teen also). I-94 had multiple accidents with traffic stopped on highway & on ramp (early) as heavy rain started. I knew to stay on less busy roads, as many others choose to do so also.
Thankful that was able to tell/show teen about driving in flooded area(s) & what to do & not do for the safety of vehicle. Teen has seen (in past) but not consequences of drivers not thought out choices, especially in construction areas (lots of those right now).
Thankful my Target package came before we left & before rain storm(s).
Thankful for family calling to ask for updates & check on our safety.
Thankful our 144 year old house continues to keep us safe/dry/warm/cool. Thankful that teen & rescue dogs make it our home.
Thankful for Kristen's site & the ability to learn & share with all of you.
Have a great weekend.
Congratulations Kristen on the scholarship!!
Thankful list:
*a break in the heat & humidity today, however brief it may be
*A/C - echo chamber here!
*garden veggies- the delight of making pico de gallo from our first 2 small tomatoes which was enough to top fajitas for lunch & fish for dinner
*the ability/access to water the garden & pots of flowers- so much joy from eating tasty veggies & colorful flowers nodding in the breeze (vs baking in the sun!)
*a healthy body - as so many have stated. Being able to walk, water, harvest, weed, lift weights etc is such a gift!
Kristen, I’m so happy to see that work is going well for you 🙂
I’m thankful for ….
1) My and my family’s health.
2) That my mom is safe from the hurricane that hit Texas.
3) For fun times spent together with family this summer.
4) For the bouquet of beautiful flowers and fresh picked herbs from my friend’s garden.
5) For the many books from the library I get to read to my kids that they enjoy listening to and learning from.
This week I am thankful:
• My dad is doing ok. His heart wasn’t feeling right last week so he went in to see the doctor. They gave him some meds to try and a monitoring device to try and figure out what is going on. He’s acting like himself and sounds like himself which is a blessing.
• My office brought in an ice cream truck after our summer meeting. It’s an annual tradition that brings a little fun to the workday.
• My son is playing in the largest youth soccer tournament in the Western Hemisphere this weekend. We have to remind ourselves that this is a big deal because the fields are only 40 minutes from our house and he’s been playing on those fields for twelve years. Other teams fly in from all over the US and from other countries, we just have to remember to get on the road in enough time to deal with the traffic.
• My husband sent flowers to my office this week. No reason, just because he wanted to.
@Geneva, ice cream AND flowers in the same week = FANTASTICAL.
I am thankful for my health this week. I have chronic pain and MD switched up medications for me. Unfortunately it made me feel horrible so I decided to go back to what my body already knows.
That my daughter and I are off this summer together.
That I start my new job being school nurse August 1st. This is my retirement job. This job will ultimately save my back from 30 years of nursing and lifting people. I am over the moon happy that it will pay me year round. No more weekend or Holidays to work and off during the summer.
That I was blessed financially to take the entire summer off. By being frugal, debt free including my home my expenses are very low.
I am super thankful for my dog Junie Bee. She is 3 and Bernadoodle that is black with white paws. She has literally saved my like in the hard times over the last 3 years. I just would not know what to do if I ever lost her.
I am thankful that Hurricane Beryl did not much more than knock out our power for a combined 20 hours ( yes, it came back on Monday, and we lost it again yesterday). We threw out some food, but managed to save most of the frozen meats with coolers and a huge amount of ice.
My yard is a mess of tree limbs and yard debris, but that’s easily fixed.
And the ac that has returned after being gone for those 20 hours? Heaven! I have had a lifelong love affair with air conditioning anyway, but being without it just deepens my devotion.
I put myself through college working as a patient care tech. It taught me that I absolutely did not want to continue on the nursing path I had talked about for so long. (I am NOT a social person.) I ended up switching to medical technology (now called medical laboratory science), and have worked in hospital labs for 30 years, specifically in blood bank. I love it! It suits me perfectly to be behind the scenes, but still playing an important role in taking care of patients. But I am thankful for my years as a patient care tech. I think it gives me an understanding and appreciation for nurses that is sometimes lacking in my some of my coworkers.
Keep that patience with your patients, Kristen! I am a nurse educator, and I always tell my students….”when it comes to difficult or angry patients…remember…it’s nothing personal, it’s just part of the job.” Many times, we see patients at their worst. They are sick or they are caring for sick family or friends. So we have to meet them where they are at. So glad you have found your happy place in healthcare! We need good nurses!
Congrats on your scholarship and I'm so happy you like your new job. I know you are a blessing to all those patients.
1. That my neuro doctor's appointment went well yesterday, and that the most recent sets of MRIs didn't set off any alarms. They saw something strange on a previous MRI for my sinuses and thought it may be some kind of brain abnormality. It was, but a harmless thing that some people just have. I am thankful and blessed and very much relieved that this didn't turn out to be a precursor of Alzheimer's or a tumor or something bad like that; I got a clean bill of health and the doc said I'm all set to go live a full life until I'm 120 years old. LOL! Also, for a doctor that takes time to fully explain things and does not act like he's rushed when he asks "do you have any other questions?"
2. That I stumbled into yet another frugal blog. This one is written by a young woman who already has 9 kids -- good grief! Not sure, being single and childless, I can identify with that, but I like her photos of roses and getting to read more "prudent" and frugal ideas from her and her commentariat. (Having such hot weather here, I'm doing lots of indoor activities such as reading blogs.)
3. No hurricane damage. It went the other direction. In fact we got a tiny sprinkle of rain and that was it. Although I would've liked more rain. But the electricity stayed on!
4. The Beryl-triggered cool air -- a reprieve from triple digits -- and the fact I could sit out on my patio, read books and listen to the birds sing. Ahhh! Also, for air conditioning working this whole time, so I don't suffer when the mercury rises.
5. Work schedule varies and I'm in the middle of 2 and a half days off. A mini-vacation, for sure.
I 100% agree about summer. I'm always thankful for cooler days!
I'm thankful that we did not lose power or have any wind damage as the remnants of Hurricane Beryl visited Ohio. I'm also thankful for the buckets of rain Beryl brought; we gathered so much rainwater both fridges are full! Yes, we filter and drink rainwater here.
I'm also thankful that the rain held off until Tuesday so my youngest could have a good campout for his birthday! He was proud of himself for doing a two hour hike and sleeping out in the woods overnight. And I'm thankful DH's health is so much better that he was able to accompany him.
I'm thankful I have kept my college transcripts handy because I'm going to need those Monday when I meet with my advisor. Hoping I can get some pre-requisites waived.
Thankful for my teenagers who are helpfully assisting me in navigating the college's online registration system.
And thankful for A/C, always!
@Karen A.,
We had a tornado warming Tuesday night in my part of Ohio, but fortunately, no tornadoes. Just rain and some wind.
First of all, I'm so glad to hear that your career choice seems "right "! As a patient, I would want to have a nurse that feels the way you do!
Sounds like a God thing, to me!
On to my thankful things...
1. I'm thankful for the 1/2" of rain that we got last night. I almost cried when I woke up to the sound of a downpour! My garden is thankful too!
2. I. Thankful for a little cooler weather today, after the rain. This HHH stuff is horrible.
3. I'm thankful for my job. While I would love to be at home more, I am enjoying what I do, and right now especially, i am enjoying that my desk is close to an AC unit!
4. I am thankful for the new pastoral team at our church. We were in the midst of a pastoral search for what seemed like forever, and we are thrilled with the new team!
5. I'm thankful for a group of co-workers who like to have fun!
Patience with patients… my thought when working with patients was just starting with accepting who they are and getting a feel for what makes them tic. Took me years to realize why the “difficult ones” would respond to me. Unconditional acceptance. Wasn’t aware that this was my approach until observing how some other clinicians practiced. Was I 100% successful? Nope. I did however get a higher client base of mental health, developmental disabilities, hospice, and “sensitive situations” in my case mix.
Your patients will sense it in you for sure.
I felt like that when I was in PA school, starting at age 30.
I never minded all the studying, hard work, and long hours!
I’m so glad you’ve acquired another scholarship, Kristen. And I’m happy for you that you’re still finding a nursing career so rewarding. Anyone would benefit from having you as his/her nurse.
I’m thankful for air conditioning and for the fact that it keeps working even through occasional storms.
I’m thankful for every time my husband and I can go out dancing. It’s always a joyful time for us but with his knee problems and my hip joint bothering me more chronically, it’s not a guarantee that we can keep dancing for years to come( though that’s our hope).
I’m thankful for good relationships with family and friends.
And I’m always thankful for our little pup, Wally, who brings us so much joy.
Kristen, so thankful for your epiphany that you ARE in the right place. I also appreciate your patient patience. I admit I have not always had it, but I am thankful for forgiveness and ability to learn and move on. It did my heart good to work second shift and interact with many of "my friends" during their waking hours.
I am thankful for Wi Fi. Last night there was an issue with ours and the troubleshooter said to use the ethernet. Ethernet? It had been folded so long that it would not straighten out. But at least it worked.
We have had warm days and cool nights. It's been nice to open windows at night. We also have had rain showers on and off, so have not needed to water the flowers and veggies.
It seems that many of us have had car trouble. ABS sensor light, hill start assist not in service (what in the world is that?) came on. My favorite shop had an opening to check it right when I called on Monday and then could fix it this morning. It (of course) was more than the sensor, but I am thankful I had the money to take care of it. There was a time when that was not the case and would have to plead to make payments. And now it's good for a while.
I am thankful for fresh garden vegetables and herbs. I picked my first two tomatoes this week. Have not tasted them yet, needed to ripen just a bit more. Also thankful for my next door neighbor's garden. She is gone most of the time and has given me permission to pluck produce from her patch. Got two cucumbers and promptly cut one up with some Vidalia onion and mixed it with sour cream. Hereafter, they will be eaten plain or with vinegar and onions. Also got a zucchini that got out of hand. It's a little bigger than I like. And okra. So good roasted in the air fryer!
This thankful(?) is a little different. I have been thankful for the Oak Ridge Boys for a long time. My siblings and I have a thing for harmony and enjoy both the Statler Brothers and these guys. (For the record, my music tastes are wide and varied.) When Joe Bonsall retired from the group last fall, I had no idea it was because of ALS until his passing this week. When my sister was diagnosed with it, I learned quickly what a devastating disease it is. I am thankful I can empathize with his family and also be thankful for the joy he and the "Boys" brought to many people.
@Chrissy, I feel the way you do about the Statlers and the OR Boys about two Irish supergroups: the Chieftains and the Bothy Band. Sadly, almost all the Chieftains are gone now (RIP Paddy Moloney and Derek Bell in particular, who kissed me on each cheek after a serendipitous post-concert encounter in a bar). But Matt Molloy, the flutist for both groups, is alive and well--and the surviving members of the Bothy Band recently got together after almost 50 years for a series of reunion concerts. The Irish traditional music channel TG4 made a documentary about the reunion, which I just found yesterday. What a joy!
Your contentment is wonderful to behold. So happy you're in such a good place in life! Interesting theory about homeschooling and neurodivergence. It makes sense!
I'm thankful:
That today the heat index is so much more tolerable. I agree about summer vs. fall!
For getting to explore a new-to-us creek on this beautiful afternoon.
For a visit from a friend coming this evening (with dinner!)
For the rest of July with no more medical treatments.
For the show Alone. Just finished the latest season on Netflix. Seeing people truly survive off the land makes me grateful for all the conveniences we have. At the same time, the show's participants' experiences and reflections remind me what truly matters. Plus it's amazing to see how creative they are!
@Heather Mar, I also love that show! I was bummed it didn't come on last week because of Independence Day (understandable as it's on The History Channel, but still..) and have been so looking forward to tonight. After The (original) Walking Dead series ended, Alone is the only show I follow in real time--and will not answer the phone during. lol
Thankful that:
1. We have had a week of rain. This cooled down the raging forest fires that were severe enough to force the evacuation of the Denali National Park. It also made riding the train from Anchorage to Fairbanks, normally breathtaking and a favorite of tourists, 12 hours of hellish smoke.
2. We are losing 6 minutes of daylight each day. Last night we had a sliver of darkness, which is such a relief after so much time with round the clock daylight. I hate summer.
3. My garden is producing steadily, finally. Not tomatoes but everything else is on time.
4. A friend gave me a HUGE plastic clamshell of sliced mangos. I love mangoes but I hate cutting them off the seed. She bought this but did not like it so passed it on to me. I have been eating it and also made some mashed and froze the cubes for future smoothies.
5. The husband, always the husband. This morning at 3:30, I confused a dream with waking, I thought he was in the living room, so I yelled out, "Are you okay?" (He goes out there when he is feeling ill and doesn't want to wake me.) Only it turned out he was asleep right next to me, so my screaming brought him to a rude awakening and he was worried I was not okay. It was like some comedy routine, each of us questioning the other in a panic in case something was wrong. Then the dogs got nervous and jumped up on the bed to check out if the old folks were okay. A lot of partners would have been mad, but he just laughed.
@Lindsey, as always, I celebrate your #5 with you. And, frankly, are you both OK after having about 250 combined pounds of dog jumping up on you??
Congratulations on the scholarship! So nice to be able to breathe a little easier about your new career choice! And I know what you mean about feeling a job is right. I was a nurse for 45 years (all but 3 of them bedside), and worked many different areas. Many were a challenge, some were great learning experiences, and some actual locations were poor fits for me. But 4 years before retiring, I chose to work in a free-standing hospice facility--and felt like I'd come home. It doesn't pay well, being Medicare-based, and I wish I could have done it earlier. But then, working all the different areas and jobs I did seemed to connect all the dots, and it was probably the right place at the right time for a reason.
This week I am thankful for:
1) Mustard. I have terrible leg cramps when my sodium/potassium/insulin ratios get out of balance, and I can take a couple of spoonsful of mustard and they stop within 5-9 minutes. I don't know if it's the turmeric, or the vinegar or what, but I don't pooh-pooh it as an old folks' remedy any more. Of course, now I AM an old folk...
2) The rare cool mornings now. Yesterday was 78 degrees and 90% humidity at %:30 am, and coffee on the porch was not enticing at all. This morning was better, and even the birds songs seemed more joyful.
3) It seems to be auto week here, because one of the things I had written down was being thankful for 2 working vehicles. One is 2003, and the other is 1998, and no, neither is a Honda. But I want to be in the parade anyway.
4.) Question of the Day from Alexa. Hubby and I alternate days to answer the questions (he has even days, I have odds), and it's so much fun to know the answers, or guess them correctly, but it's also fun to learn a new fact each day.
5.) You-tube tutorials. Years ago I bought a PVC quilt frame from a yard sale. It was just all the pieces in a delapidated box, and the instructions blew out of the truck on my way home. I contacted the company asking for a copy of the instructions, but they never responded. This winter I found a You-Tuber who was teaching how to build one, and lo and behold, I had ALL the correct pieces, even though I bought it years ago and before the last move. I put it together and will be loading an old quilt top from my great grandmother to finish for my sister.
6.) A hair appointment tomorrow for me, and a grooming session Mon for my dog. We are both miserable in this heat.
@StephanieLD, that was supposed to be at 5:30 am, not a disguised cuss word.
I'm thankful for:
-Also good health and a well working body.
- For our cute kittens
- For fans
- For the ability to write out my thoughts
- For a faithful Father and Savior who stays consistent no matter how many times I move or how much my plans change
I noticed another “Casey” posted yesterday. I don’t post often, but am trying. I’ve added the PNW to my “Casey.”
My thankfulness is really around health care; and, I am very, very thankful!
I had a rare complication following a medical procedure and ended up in the ER for 8 hours, was admitted, and spent 2 days in the hospital. I’m grateful for good care!
Four days after coming home, I tested positive for COVID. Fortunately, my doctor’s office was providing telehealth appointments on the holiday. I was able to get Paxlovid and pick it up from Walmart Pharmacy that had holiday hours. My usual pharmacy was not open.
I’m thankful for grocery pick up today and a well stocked pantry before I came down with COVID.
Unfortunately, my husband also got COVID, but we’ve been supporting each other as best we can. There were only a few days when we both felt downright awful.
I’m thankful for a good tasting cup of coffee this morning. Paxlovid did a number on my taste buds!
I’m thankful for AC given the heat wave we had in the PNW. If one had to be inside, this was a good time. Today is much cooler!
I agree on the grateful for my health post. I have been in the hospital before and am thankful for my wonderfully made body that can heal.
I am grateful for cooler weather this week.
I am grateful for my trainer that continues to be patient with me as I regain my mobility after a hip replacement.
I am thankful for grandkids that visit me.
I am grateful that this last week I had air conditioning.
And now back to the text book for you skin is considered to be the largest organ of the human body. Not an internal organ but still the largest.
You are going to be such a great nurse! Just because some get burned out and cynical doesn't mean that you will. I think that's a genetic trait as well.
I agree with you about summer. We don't have AC. It may be frugal not to have it (our electricity bills are very low in summer) and we don't need it most of the time, but our home is miserable during a heat wave. When our normally temperate climate abandons us, it can get well into the 100's during heat waves. We had a few days of 115F last year--UGH.
We live near, but not on the coast. I am thankful for the sea breezes that are our natural air conditioning . . . when they blow our way. I am thankful that we have solar powered attic fans that vent the heat out of the house on at least the first day of a heat wave, until late afternoon when the sun is too low to keep them running. They can't keep up the second and subsequent days of a heat wave, but having just one day of cooler temps inside the house is better than none. I am thankful I work in an air conditioned office, and I have air conditioning in my car. I used to work in home health, and I tried the first year doing that in a car without air conditioning (can you even buy cars without air conditioning any more???). I only lasted one year before I traded in that car for one with AC and have never considered getting a car without it again.
I too am not a fan of summer…except for watermelon season!
Grateful that Hurricane Beryl did minimal damage in my town. Praying for all those near by without power in 95+ degree weather.
Happy we are adjusting. My 92 year old father moved in last month. Big adjustment for him….and my husband and I. I know I will look back and be glad we had this time with him.
Looking forward to having 2 grandsons next week for out summer visit. Lots of fun stuff planned.
Thankful for the library. I only read free books…both digitally and physical books. I retired 4 years ago, and decided buying books was an unnecessary expense. I have to be patient and wait at times, but love my library.
@LaNell from Texas, one of the benefits about restraining oneself from buying books is that your bookshelves won't get overloaded. Another is that when they don't get overloaded, you don't have to go through the excruciating exercise of deciding which ones to let go of. I'm with you on library love.
Thankful for-
The Beryl rain has ended & the sun is out.
For my co-worker who is so helpful.
That my oldest (crabby) dog let me cut some of his nails.
That my brother who fell is doing better today.
For my brother's friend that called us when he could not get ahold of said brother.
Thankful tomorrow is Friday. 🙂
I am thankful my gym allows people to either wear gym shoes OR be barefoot. I have really awful feet that hurt so bad in shoes. It's made a huge difference and I enjoy working out more because my feet aren't constrained.
One of my favorite podcasts is coming to and end and I've found some others to enjoy in it's place. I am still looking for a campfire tale-esque one, but I'm happy with the ones I have.
I am thankful that I got out of my own way this week and changed a prayer from "show me how I fix this" to a "I can't do this. Help." because the next day a solution was presented.
For peanut butter and jelly. I know this is such a silly thing, but I am living abroad right now and a simple PB&J sandwich can be so, so comforting.
I have a question - do you have to wear a mask all day at the hospital, or has that requirement gone away?
I so enjoy this community! And congratulations on the scholarship!
My thankfuls this week:
1) For our new air conditioner/furnace, installed on an emergency schedule last November. Works great.
2) For the savings that made it possible to research carefully and buy a new vacuum cleaner that will do a better job than the one that just died, and comes with a much better warranty.
3) For my friends at the soup kitchen. We cook together and have a great time.
4) For my sewing machines. They give me reliable performance and just the clothes I want!
5) For my affectionate cat, who adopted us last fall and purrs very loud, celebrating her increasingly voluptuous figure. I think she is eating at the neighbor's house as well as at ours, but she is so happy it is kind of infectious. We are taking her to the vet next week to see if she is chipped and we hope to discover that she is spayed.
Hate to inform you but heat index of 92 isn't all that bad. Heat, like cold, is all in your state of mind.
@Karen A., https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?cm_sp=SearchF-_-topnav-_-Results&kn=shortney&sts=t
Abebooks.com is my go to for buying books. Just have to watch shipping cost as some sellers are not in the US.
Re-post as I am behinder than most on reading.
Kristen … I seem to be in “pending” time-out.
Hmmm, I am seeing comments from you coming through! Do they still show pending on your end?
@Kristen, It’s good now.
You are going to be an amazing nurse. You are incredibly kind, caring, generous, empathetic and the list goes on.
My mom spent a lot of her life in the hospital for months at a time and we really cherished the wonderful nurses when she had them as a lot of nurse were crochety and had awful bedside manner. Perhaps the weren't like that at the beginning of their careers, but this isn't a career to stay in if you hate going into work every day.
Yes. Bedside manner is a huge, huge component of nursing. If you are technically competent but have no people skills, you are not gonna be a good nurse.