Thankful Thursday | wisdom + cheerfulness
To start, from James Clear's May 15th newsletter:
Writer and philosopher Michel de Montaigne reveals what wisdom looks like: "The most certain sign of wisdom is cheerfulness."
If de Montaigne is right, that's good news for me. 😉 Cheerfulness is right there in my blog's tag line!
This week, I am thankful:
that today is my official graduation
I get to wear my first-ever cap and gown! Woohoo!
As I've said before, until my pinning last week, I'd never been part of a big graduation ceremony, and that makes it extra fun for me.
So of course, of course I signed up to attend the pinning and the graduation. Gotta make the most of the opportunity. 😉
that Lisey and Mia are here!
Lisey flew in on Tuesday, my friend Mia arrived yesterday, and both of them came specifically for my graduation. I am very touched. And I am so delighted they are here!
I am very fortunate that there are two events to invite people to because tickets are so limited; I invited my parents and Sonia and my aunt and uncle to the pinning, and now for my graduation, Mia, Lisey, and Zoe can come. Perfect!
that graduation is indoors
It's a chilly, rainy day today and I am feeling so thankful our graduation is indoors.
I was also grateful about having an indoor pinning ceremony last week because it was wildly hot and humid that day. Two extremes!
that I got my earring out of my sink
I dropped one of my only very nice earrings down my bathroom sink. Ugh.
However, I peeked down the drain and thought I could see it in the trap.
Unfortunately, I do not own a pipe wrench (only some pairs of pliers) so I had to unscrew the pipes with my hands and a rag, which took some doing.
I did manage to get some of the fittings unscrewed, and then I used a scrapbooking tool to fish the earring out of the trap.
(I am Very Professional.)
Thank goodness it was an earring shape that was amenable to being fished; something like a pearl stud earring would have been way worse!
And now I have learned my lesson: no taking earrings out in the bathroom. My sink has way too little flat surface and way too much sloped sink area for this to be a safe practice.
that I really do not care about working on Memorial Day
I have no holiday traditions for Memorial Day, so I don't care at all that it's one of my mandatory scheduled holidays at the hospital this year!
that I was able to donate some nursing lab supplies
I had some leftover unopened supplies, such as a practice Foley catheter kit. I really didn't want to just throw them away, so I emailed the program coordinator to see if I could donate them back to the school.
And she said yes. Yay!
So I happily dropped them off the other day.
Annnnnd now I'm off for a day of graduation fun!
What are you thankful for this week?
P.S. I may or may not be back with a blog post tomorrow; due to my company, I might just do the menu post on Saturday! 🙂 And I should have some graduation pictures because I know I can depend on Mia for that.
I am applauding from the middle of nowhere in New Mexico. That's how far your support network stretches. 🙂 Happy gradauation day! So glad you can have your family with you.
@kristin @ going country, I believe Kristen's support network reaches almost all the way around the world. Not sure if there are any current readers in South America or Asia, but I think we've got North America, Europe, and Australia covered, and I recall at least one reader from Africa. Wherever we are, let's all sound off for our Kristen! Hip hip hooray from Central NY!!!
@A. Marie,
Joining in the cheering from CNY!!
@kristin @ going country, @A. Marie Cheering from the Florida Gulf Coast!! Congrats Kristin, Frugal RN!!
@A. Marie, cheering from Maine! Congratulations, Kristen!
@kristin @ going country, cheering from Southern California!
@kristin @ going country, The middle of nowhere in the Land of Enchantment is ... enchanting. So enchanted congratulations to Kristen With An E!
@JDinNM, And so happy to see Lisey with her Enchanting Dimple!
@kristin @ going country, Sending many congratulations to Kristen from southwest Michigan!
@kristin @ going country, and I'm applauding from Ireland
@A. Marie, @kristin @ going country, Joining in the cheering from Canada!
@kristin @ going country, Joining the applause from the west side of the mitten state. YAY Kristen!!!
@A. Marie, Also a very long time reader from Chicagoland here. Posting for the first time to say Congratulations!
@A. Marie,
Yippee yahooooo from SW Ohio! Congratulations, Kristen! So glad Mia and Lisey will be there to watch you walk, and join in the celebration!
@CrunchyCake, I’m cheering form Southern California too!
@StaceyW, ditto - congratulations from southwest Michigan! Well done Kristin !
@A. Marie, Cheering all the way over from Japan today. YAY KRISTEN!!! おめでとうございます (CONGRATULATIONS!!)
@A. Marie,
@A. Marie, sending Kristen warm wishes from WNY!
@A. Marie,
Three cheers and warmest congratulations to Kristen from Maryland! We are so thrilled for you!
@MH,
@kristin @ going country, shouting CONGRATULATIONS! from AZ! You've done it!
I'm joining in to applaud from the Canadian Atlantic coast. Happy Graduation Day! Enjoy!
Applauding from South Florida. Have a wonderful time with your daughters and friend. Yay Kristen!!!
First, a huge congrats. I think life is too short not to celebrate the big and the little things and you are celebrating a HUGE thing. My heart is just bursting for you.
YES! I had the exact same thing happen to me when I lost one of my only "expensive/nice" earrings down a sink. Thankfully, we were renting at the time and call the property manager who had the tools needed to fish it out. I NEVER take my earrings out over the sink now. Another time I was in the shower at a friend's house and when I got out I realized only one of my pearl studs was in my ears. Argh. I never got that earring back 🙁
But...in a fitting end to the story, for my university graduation (which happened about a month after I lost the stud), my then-boyfriend/now-husband bought me a pair of pearl studs to wear for the occasion.
I am applauding you from your "neck of the woods". Congratulations and enjoy your graduation ceremony and your company.
I love the quote. It is a lot to think about.
I am thankful for friends, friends, friends. They add so much to life.
I am thankful for a thoughtful sister-in-law. We will be joining family members in the Rockies and she offered to pick up groceries to get us started. She and another SIL have also arranged to provide dinner the first two nights and breakfast the first night. They will only drive a couple of hours while we will fly and drive and my sisters will both drive a long way.
Happy Graduation Day!! Imagine all of the Commentariat attending and cheering you on, because we are.
Congratulations! Enjoy every moment of your special day!
- Regarding my son, I’m still frequently fearful, mad, sad, etc, but I’m thankful for the nice people here that shared words of support and kindness last week.
- That I don’t have appendicitis! I was sent to the ER and the CT scan showed healthy organs in my abdomen.
- My husband’s work trips are almost done. He’s been mostly gone the past two weeks as his company goes to visit and interview potential new consultants.
- My daughter has gained so much confidence this year. This is the first year, I’m not concerned about her social interactions at school. She used to have a very hard time making friends and she would not say no to people. She would give her things away if someone said they liked them and would always trade things like school treats if the other kids asked, even if the one she already the one she really wanted. It’s such a relief that she now has a couple besties and is much better at speaking out for what she wants.
- We have a big teddy bear of a dog. He makes us laugh, gives kisses when we’re sad, and is always happy to share a hug.
@JenRR,
Perhaps I missed what was going on with your son last week, but I'm not surprised the Commentariat was supportive and kind. This is such a good, kind, compassionate corner of the Internet. 🙂
@Liz B., We found out my son stopped growing earlier than expected and his permanent adult height is 5’2”. It’s not easy being such a small man, and I have big mom worries about all the things that go along with that. He’s had some other big challenges in life that make him not fit in, and it hurts my heart to add another. I feel like another aspect of normalcy has been taken from him.
Soak in every second of it Kristen:)
Cheering for you from the middle of the Canadian prairies!
How extra wonderful that you will have your loved ones with you on this special occasion! I'm so excited and happy for you!
Cheering from fabulous Las Vegas, Nv.!
Enjoy your ceremony!
Applauding from Western Canada. Hope you have a lovely visit with family and great time walking across the stage.
Congratulations, Kiristin! Have been following from Canada for YEARS (since Zoe was a baby!) and have watched you grow and thrive throughout the many phases of your life. So happy for all that you have accomplished! Soak in the all the accolades that you so richly deserve! Enjoy it all!!!
Long time reader from Ontario here. Posting for the first time to say a big Congratulations! Enjoy all the celebrations. The world is lucky to have you as a nurse
What a whirlwind of a month you've had! These are exciting times and sounds like you will have a great rest of your week with people you cherish. (: I am getting better at finding Happy here and continuing my practice of gratitude journaling:
*thankful for beautiful sunny days here and the cool mornings which make my daily walks so pleasant and working on my yards do-able
*thankful for my adult peeps who showered me with love on Mother's Day - this is no small thing as up to this point there was always someone (Dad) to remind them
*I bought a membership to a local performing arts center and am attending a free performance on the lawn tonight - they do this every Thursday in the summer so I have something fun to go to weekly, not to mention the special shows and events they do as well
*thankful to have writing as my creative outlet - blogging, journaling, and staying in touch with friends in a daily way
Have a great graduation ceremony!
Today will be one you will always remember! Woot! Woot!
Today I am thankful for one very big thing this week. I am grateful for the people of my community -- and so many others throughout the state and country -- who worked hard to prevent a land swap deal that would have given 600 acres of fragile, coastal conservation land to a developer.
Although I have always loved this wild land, I have taken for granted that it would be preserved and protected into perpetuity. This special place has once again survived the worse kind of threat, and I find that my heart is full. I am so thankful for this piece of old Florida. I am grateful for the coastal hammocks, the marsh lands, the birds, the fish, the snakes, the bobcats, the alligators, the deer, the otters, the waterways...and for the beauty of this unspoiled estuarial habitat.
Wishing you all the blessings of peace, good health and prosperity.
@Bee, as one who also remembers a few bits and pieces of "old" Florida, I'm thankful for your and your community's preservation efforts. And I'm thankful for similar efforts by one of my sisters in another section of the state (closer to where @JD is, I believe). Although I prefer not to go into details, this sister and I have had a difficult relationship ever since I was brought home from the hospital. But I'm glad that she is devoting her retirement years to this excellent cause.
@A. Marie,
It was an amazing victory for many reasons. You would love this conservation area. There have been 257 different species of birds recorded there. I don't think there are many places left where you can see a bald eagle, roseate spoonbill, and a painted bunting all in the same day.
@Bee, I spent my last two years of high school in Boca Raton at a time when you could sit in a lawn chair in your backyard and count the manatees swimming by in the canal and the spoonbills and storks and herons. It was a different time and place and I'm thankful I got to experience it.
@Bee,
Not only would A. Marie love it, but I would, too! I'm a hobbyist bird/wildlife photographer, and my dream is to see a roseate spoonbill. Seeing a bald eagle, a roseate spoonbill and a painted bunting in one day would be AMAZING!!
Also, many grateful huzzahs to all those involved in keeping this lovely-sounding wild land wild. In my area, there's a wetland that was habitat to many shore birds (and, I'm sure, many other animals).....notice I say "was" (frowny face)....about 3 years ago, something happened, and the land was sold to someone (or some developer, I don't know all the details) and warehouses sprung up almost over night. And this was part of a county park! the wetlands were destroyed, animals (I assume) went elsewhere or perished, birds (I hope) went elsewhere. It was devastating to those of us who cherish these wild areas.
I hope you have a wonderful time at your hard-earned, well-deserved graduation! So fun that Lisey and Mia could make it! Applauding and cheering from VA.
And, what a beautiful earring. Glad you were able to save it. 🙂
I'm applauding you from Erie, PA! Congratulations on this huge accomplishment! Wonderful that Lisey and Mia and Zoe can join you!
Congrats on your graduation day!
Clapping from Alabama!!
Woohoo! Cheering you on from New Jersey! Sending you love and pride on such a wonderful day.. we are all so proud of you. ❤️
Thank you for including us on this journey!
I feel neither wise nor cheerful today, but I am happy for you on your graduation and that you have so many loved ones applauding you on your special days. Have a great celebration, and a long one. I look forward to any pictures you are willing to share!
Enjoy!
Standing ovation from South Texas!
Congratulations on your graduation! Enjoy your day, you have so earned it.
Enjoy your company!!
I'm thankful for:
- Ate my first zucchini from my garden!
- Father-in-law's medical procedure went well
- Sunshine & walks
- Coffee
- Flowers' beauty
- My daughter, who is 17 today!!! How does it go so fast???
Sending HUGE congratulations from Charlotte, NC! Enjoy every minute of your day with all the people who love you--it's been hard earned and is so well deserved.
YAY!!!
Congratulations! From Stratford, Ontario, and the wonderful theatre festival. I am imagining you dancing in cap and gown with a procession of revealers all wearing flowers and waving ribbons! And singing! Celebrate to the max!
Applauding your incredible success from Georgia!!!!
Congratulations! I’m applauding from Portland, Oregon. My claps are especially enthusiastic because I know first hand how it feels to graduate in your 40’s. Bravo to you!
I am so happy Lisey and Mia were able to come for your graduation and help you celebrate.
My thankful list this week will all be related to the EF-2 tornado that hit our neighborhood Tuesday night. Tornados are not uncommon in our area, but we've never been directly impacted before.
- First, and most importantly, I am so thankful everyone in the neighborhood is safe.
- I'm thankful for the kindness and support of our friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers. So many people have reached out to check on us and offer help.
- I'm thankful for the kindness of a stranger. A friend of our neighbor's cut down the tree that was blocking our front door for free.
- I'm thankful that our house was not damaged badly. We have many large, mature trees down in the backyard, most of the fence is down, broken windows in the garage, and minor roof damage. Compared to one neighbor who lost their roof and another that has a large hole in the side of the house, we were very fortunate.
- I'm thankful for the National Weather Service and our local meteorologists who provided excellent information on the storm path and alerted us when the tornado emergency was imminent alerting everyone to take immediate shelter.
- I'm thankful that we have money in saving to cover the cost of the tree removal, insurance deductible, and cost to clean up and repair the damage.
@Beverly, I'm thankful you are safe!
@Beverly,
Count me as also thankful you and yours are safe!
@Beverly, I'm sorry you had so much yard damage--but thankful, as you are, that the damage to structures was minor and that (most importantly) you are all safe.
@Beverly,
I'm so sorry that you have had this experience. I hope that the clean-up will go well. Sending good vibes your way!
Happy Graduation, Kristen! You should be so proud of everything you've accomplished!
I am thankful that I got into the habit of strength training. I still find it a little intimidating but I'm proud that I do it almost every week and that I can lift heavier loads each time.
I am thankful that there are public holidays next week.
I am thankful for sleeping well after a week of constantly waking up coughing due to a cold!
Fellow nurse sending congratulations from metro Detroit! Have an awesome time with your people!!
Such an important moment for us to be cheering you on. And, I’m doing it loudly from Bucks County, PA!!
Yay to seeing Lisey. Chiquita looks happy about it, too.
Congratulations from NH/NC!!! Your Commentariat is doing a standing ovation for your pinning AND graduation! Have a great weekend of family and friends
Cheering for you from Castle Rock, Colorado! Congratulations on an amazing accomplishment. I hope you can soak up all the love and congratulations you so richly deserve!
(Long time reader, first time poster 🙂 )
Happy Graduation Day from rainy and cool NYC!
This week I am thankful for:
1. A clear eye exam. No signs of glaucoma. It runs in the family and I have a wonderful doctor who is staying vigilant and thorough.
2. Not needing a root canal. Whew!
3. A lovely staycation at home despite the rain.
4. Lots of books to read.
5. A husband who is roasting a chicken tonight. He makes the most delicious roast chicken!
Congrats on your graduation and all of the hard work you put it in to get to this point. So happy for you 🙂
Congratulations from western Canada! Enjoy your time celebrating with friends and family. Take time to revel in these moments.
Today is a big day for you! Congratulations, and I know having loved ones there makes it all that more wonderful.
I'm thankful...
1. That tomorrow is the birthday of the youngest grandchild; he will turn five and start kindergarten this fall. The only boy in our grandkids, he's hilarious, active, quick-tempered but loving and adores learning all about wild animals, especially the big cat family. His very best friend and partner in crime is his 18-months older sister.
2. That this Sunday afternoon, my children, grandchildren, and visiting sister will drive to DH's hometown, a tiny spot in the Florida Panhandle my grandkids have never seen, to go to the graveyard of the church where his grandfather once pastored and is buried, and scatter DH's reserved ashes at the grave sites of his parents.
3. That the manufacturing site where my daughter is general manager was awarded a new contract that requires expansion, which will lead to more jobs, something sorely needed in our hard-hit town.
4. That the office ate lunch out yesterday to celebrate an employee's birthday. It's about the only time I eat lunch out, and bonus, the office pays the whole tab for birthday lunches.
5. That I have nine months more to go to retirement. You will probably see this thanksgiving crop up on the regular for a while.
@JD, all best on Sunday. We interred my husband’s ashes several weeks after the funeral. It hit me much harder than I anticipated. Xoxo
@JD, I hope that the scattering of your DH's ashes in such a meaningful place for you and all his family gives you as much comfort as interring my DH's ashes where I did has given me. As I believe I noted in a comment a few weeks ago, I recently visited DH's grave for the first time since the interment, and I was pleased to see that there's now a bluebird box overlooking his and his llama friend Tilly's graves.
@JD, will be thinking of you this weekend. May peace be with you.
@A. Marie and Diane,
Thank you both so much. We inurned most of DH's ashes in the columbarium at the nearest National Cemetery, but we had asked for some ashes to be saved out for this reason, to "return him home." This was all decided between DH, the kids and me, years before he died, and it felt right to him.
Enjoy the graduation! Glad your family are able to attend different things. I hate when tickets are limited for such an event (I understand it, but hate it).
When you walk across the stage, I hope you will hear the hundreds of us blog readers cheering! Congratulations!
How exciting - enjoy your company and ALL the graduation festivities.
Thankful for:
Caring, understanding daughters.
Fresh picked strawberries.
All the green even if it does mean weeds grow too.
Family trip to Hawaii is less than a month out and almost all planning, reservations are done.
Husband fell yesterday and only had a bumped up elbow and scraped knee. Parkinsons stinks.
Again, congratulations on your major achievement! Enjoy every minute of your special day! And say hello to your favorite Hawaiian!
Congratulations to you in the biggest way!
Congratulations all the way from Canada! So happy for you!
Congratulations and cheers from North Central West Virginia!
You have accomplished an amazing amount of work in the past few years! Celebrate with everyone this weekend! And be sure to mount that diploma!
Cheers to you, Kristen, from Maine! Woooohoooo!
Mazel tov! You did it!
Congratulations!! Enjoy every second. You have worked so hard to earn this!!
Lisey looks great with her hair color restored to normal. (What an old person thing to say!)
So glad you are able to shuffle your people to the various celebrations.
You were very determined and resourceful to rescue that earring—I would have said, “Bummer, sorry earring, it’s been nice, thanks for your service.”
I’m thankful to have just learned that my Mom finally said (on her 3rd trip to the ER in 4 weeks) that it is time for her to let her car go. She hasn’t driven in 1-1/2 year but has been delusional about driving again. And those ER trips are because she stays up super late wandering around her apartment and then falls. This is SO HARD.
Which makes me super thankful that she is 750 miles away and near my very capable older sister (who is REALLY STRESSED OUT).
I’ll go get the car in a couple of weeks. It is time to let my ’96 Accord go. . . trying to be thankful for all those wonderful years instead of immaturely sad about letting a CAR go. Good grief, where is my sadness for watching my mom decline?? (This might be called “transference” or some other psychobabble term. . .)
I need some chocolate.
@Central Calif. Artist Jana, I am so sorry about your mom's decline. It is hard and takes its toll on you even so far away. You deserve chocolate.
@Central Calif. Artist Jana, I add my sympathy to Elaine's about your mother. TBH, what with her "sundowning" and her trips to the ER, it sounds to me as if you and your sister may want to start having the assisted living/memory care conversation.
Good luck on getting this past your mother, I know. But if she's far enough along that these things are happening, it may be time to start considering some work-arounds. As always, I recommend the hive wisdom of all the good folks at alzconnected.org. The "Caring for a Parent" list would be the place to start.
@Central Calif. Artist Jana,
My thoughts are with you. It is difficult when your parents begin to decline. As A.Marie has mentioned, it is easier to start the assisted living conversation earlier rather than later.
Please give your sister as much love and appreciation as possible. Taking care of my MIL in her last years may be one of the hardest things that I have ever done.
@Bee, @A.Marie, @Book Club Elaine, thank you for your kind words. My mom is being ultra difficult, contrarian, verbally combative, uncooperative, in denial about needing any help, fearful that we just want to “put her away” (as if we haven’t all been busting our heinies for decades to try and make her happy and keep her living independently), and delusional about her “independence”. My sister recently reported shouting at her, “MOM!! THIS IS THE HARDEST THING I HAVE EVER DONE!!” Amen, Sister. I am on standby; the minute she asks me to come, I will head to the airport. Otherwise, I will go on June 7 as planned.
Congratulations! Cheering you on from Texas.
Congratulations Kristen! You look so happy. 🙂
Enjoy your graduation day. You earned it!
Thankful that we have generator because we lost power 1 week ago tonight for 3 days when storms & tornadoes came through.
Thankful we didn't have major damage as this line of storms was very destructive causing multiple tornadoes & straight line winds & hail for some. The weather man had been preparing us for few days about how bad it could be & I took preparations to ensure we were prepared & safe. I don't like it when tornadoes happen at night/dark.
Thankful that next day storms (round #2) were not as bad & that there was no more additional damage. But our temperatures did drop drastically 24 hours after those storms. 30*s overnight & 50*s for high temps now for all this week compared to 70*s & 80*s before.
Thankful that I found new second hand store that has some nice things that I could not live without. 😉 Plus the store owner is open to buying merchandise from people, but is not interested in cosigning items. I think I will start to box up some items to take for store to look at. I am going to make outside tabletop solar light from giant thick glass container I bought similar to what is currently sold at other stores but made of lightweight cheap plastic that will break if falls off tabletop.
Thankful that my Aunt us really getting comfortable with her smartphone & even talking while driving (through car). She loves texting & being able to take & send pictures immediately. She went up to spend few days with my dad recently because he doesn't travel much except to radiation treatments.
Thankful my dad seems to be doing ok with adjusted radiation treatments. About half way through scheduled radiation treatments currently. I'm so grateful for the medical staff that he interacts with & they do a great job.
Thankful for Kristen & her blog where we can all learn & share with each other.
Have a great Memorial day weekend.
Yay! That's me applauding from the other side of the state; I'll stay here to make sure it doesn't tip and make us all slide into the ocean. 🙂
This week I'm thankful:
*that college boy #1 is home. I'm not sure yet if I'm thankful he brought 2 abandoned kittens with him.
*that my family tolerates (usually) my desire to play loud honky-tonk music in the kitchen while I'm cooking.
*that soccer season is over for my youngest son. That the soccer league is led by a wonderful group of volunteers.
*for today's coffee. It tasted like happiness.
*for the tenderness my youngest has for baby things of all kinds.
*for my oldest daughter who turned sweet 16-- she really is sweet. That her bestie is okay after her wisdom teeth were removed this week. I mean, she's not normal yet, but she didn't die under the knife.
*for will-power-- when I have it.
*that I enjoy driving.
*for the asparagus we harvested this year. Its run is over now, but it was good while it lasted.
*that no cicadas have attacked me yet. We've seen a few and certainly heard their chorus, but the air isn't filled by their flying ugliness yet.
@Jody S., I hope your playlist includes Dwight Yoakum. "Honky Tonk Man" seems very appropriate.
@kristin @ going country, We have both Dwight's version and Johnny Horton's version. This morning was Hank Williams. Tomorrow morning will be George Jones ("Finally Friday")-- because I do the wild side vicariously. This evening? Well, I have a birthday party tomorrow, so I will have a good bit of time in the kitchen. It might just be a mix of all the country. Or Billy Joel. I haven't listened to him for awhile.
Cheering you on from drizzly PNW.
Take in the celebrations and enjoy your friends and family. This is a big deal!
Wildly cheering you on from the Twin Cities! Enjoy your special day!
Congratulations on your graduation, from South Texas!
Enjoy your day, especially with all your girlies! Congratulations again!
Happy, happy graduation, Kristin! Congratulations:)
thrilled your family is with you. yay you. glad you got your earing back. hip hip hoorayy from NYC
Enjoy your people!!
Congratulations from just down the road! I'm thankful to be able to join the online hurrah!
Cheering you on from Arkansas! Where do live anyway, Kristen? You could easily vacation across the world if you visited your blog buddies! Come to Arkansas anytime! (Hint -- fall is best!)
Happy graduation day!!
I'm so happy you missed a post, and may miss another, for such a wonderfully happy reason! I hope you have a blast!
Hip! Hip! Hooray from Missouri! So delighted your close family and friend will be with you for this monumental moment! We are with you in spirit.
I am sad but also thankful that I finally found a tree cutter for my very large, dead ash tree. I had a "talk" with one of the resident squirrels yesterday about having to reroute his/her travels through the upper story of the yard. He was fussin' up a storm about somethin'. I looked out of the window this morning to see the six starlings watching the progress (?) I have no idea what the total area will look like when they are done as it was a tight fit for the boom truck in the driveway. Lots of intentional plantings in the drop zone.
I am glad I was able to pick two gallons of strawberries from my neighbor's patch. There is at least another gallon in a part of the patch that is yet unpicked which I hope to get when the tree cutters are moved from the area. One of the gallons went to my dear friend who has not been able to find or purchase any of our locally grown ones. She and I agreed that the ones from the store are just too hard and don't taste as good.
I am thankful the audiologist was able to make some adjustments to my hearing aides. Two weeks ago, she changed the ear fittings to make them exclude the surrounding noises which kept me from hearing people that were talking directly to me. Yesterday she made some adjustments in volume in a specific range. Isn't technology amazing? I don't have to carry around a gramophone horn.
I am thankful I was able to cut one day more from my scheduled work. I know we are short nurses, but I am getting older. Having my debts paid of has allowed me to do this.
I am thankful and relieved to have our Master Gardener Plant Sale over for the year. We did not do quite as well monetarily but we are a non-profit organization anyway. We were able to be visible in the community and sold all but 4-6 of our 75 milkweed plants. It was a blustery, chilly day and I'm glad we did as well as we did.
@Chrissy, the butterflies will be happy that you sold so much milkweed.
Congratulations on all your accomplishments. So glad you will have your family with you.
So exciting! Congratulations (again!). Looking forward to pics!
I wasn't going to go to my community college graduation but my sis and brother in law came to town for it, so I did, and it was so much fun. So when I graduated with my BA a couple years later there was no way I was gonna skip the ceremony!
Congrats from a new follower in central Illinois!
Yay congratulations on your graduation! And that you went to both ceremonies, and that your family members could attend said ceremonies, and especially that Lisey and Mia came to attend, very special.
I change my earrings in the bathroom, and always put the plug in the drainhole before I begin. The ONE time I forgot to put the plug in the drainhole, I lost an earring down the drainpipe. And so now I am diligent about putting the plug in before I even bring my earrings into the bathroom. I have better light in the bathroom so I don't really have any choice of changing earrings anywhere else.
Hearty congratulations from New Zealand! Enjoy your graduation ceremony with family and friends - admiring your hard work and perseverance in accomplishing this degree.
Cheering from west Tennessee!
Congratulations from North Carolina. I love graduations. Such a happy time at the end of so much hard work. Try to slow the day down so you can enjoy every minute and make memories.
Wanted to add my congratulations on a job well done (from the PNW)! As a professor, I loved graduation with all the pomp and circumstance! I was privileged to be the faculty marshal for our college for a number of years. This involved announcing each graduate as they crossed the stage to receive their diploma. It was so rewarding to see their excitement and also see their family’s and friends love and support! I am sure your professors are very proud of you and your fellow students along with your family. What an accomplishment! You did excellent!!!
Congratulations from Texas on your graduation and your guests who came to celebrate you! Forget the blog and enjoy your weekend. We'll all still be here next week.
CONGRATULATIONS! What an amazing accomplishment. Enjoy every moment of your special day with family and friends.
I am thankful for being able to retire from paid work life, which I will officially do Friday. From now on, my time will be my own! Yay!
@Mary, it's Friday as I read this and know how wonderful you are feeling today! Congratulations!! Monday will be even better!
Wow, great job on the earring save. It is so beautiful!
This week I am grateful:
- For a project manager on Pacific time.
- For continued work on my phobia. Last night I practiced some "defusing" techniques and they seem to help.
- For the many moves and transitions that have provided the opportunity to make friends.
- For people who are better at things than I am, so I have people to learn from.
- For my friend agreeing to go to a girly cafe with me in a few weekends.
Oops, instead of bloviating about my current state of affairs, I meant to say RIGHT ON, KRISTEN!! I KNEW YOU COULD DO THIS!! (from Central California)
For you! In many ways you are uplifting, wise and inspirational. And btw I’m 76 years old! Still I learn from you, am inspired by you and you often make me feel better in general ways that are important as we age. What a strong person you are! Thanks for sharing your journey with us!!
Have a wonderful time celebrating your graduation day!
I’m so happy for you, Kristen, and I’m grateful to be along for the vicarious ride. Thank you for sharing your ups and downs with the void!
Congratulations!! So happy for you on this we’ll-earned milestone!
Congratulations!! I hope you had the best time at your ceremony!!
Today I'm thankful that my sweet friend got hired full-time to work with events and catering where I work part-time and we get to work together now!!! Our team is fairly small (about 7 people) so we will get to work together closely and have the BEST time! We squealed with excitement this morning and got a picture taken of our first day working together. The Lord has continually been crossing our paths in new ways for the last couple of years and I'm so excited for this newest one.
Congratulations on your graduation from New Jersey!
So thrilled for you! You deserve every second of recognition; you worked so, so hard.
Congratulations!
Congratulations from Maryland! So very happy for you! I hope you had a wonderful day celebrating with your family and friends.
A standing ovation from the mountains here in the northeastern United States! Congratulations, Kristen! Enjoy celebrating this memorable milestone with your family and friends!
Congratulations on your graduation Kristen! Cheering you from Australia.
A belated congratulations! You worked hard, and now you get to celebrate. So nice that Lisey and Mia are with you.
Thankful for getting my daughter to her spring term class location, and that it looks like a great experience for her. For being low censused on Wednesday--it's been a busy, busy season, and the gift of a day was appreciated. For a nice dinner with friend who is moving away. For coffee today with a friend who I haven't seen in awhile. For my sweet husband.
WOOOHOO!Congratulations. I hope today is a fabulous day for you & a wonderful recognition of all of your hard work!
Congratulations on your graduation. We're all rooting for you here!
Two days ago I received the news that I didn't get a job I wanted. I have not gotten a lot of jobs in the past, but this was different. This was a job I have been working toward for years, have been focused on preparing for over the past year, and would have been absolutely perfect in every way. I know that sounds dramatic, but I came thisclose to a dream come true. And then I didn't get it. So this week I am thankful . . .
-for the opportunity to go along as a chaperone's on one of our children's field trips yesterday. Not only was it a lovely time over all, but I also got to sit on the beach with a long time friend whose kid is in school with our son. It always lifts my spirits to talk to her, and she was full of good vibes and wisdom as always. I also spent the entire 5 hours we were on the bus absorbed in a fantastic book. Two things that were good for my soul.
-for the friends who supported me when they heard I didn't get the job. One told me I was robbed, one is taking me out to lunch, and another is using her network to find out who was hired and why. I love these guys.
-for having another year on my current contract. I am going to use it as a runway into a new phase in my career. Not getting this job was my last chance. I'm choosing a new path now, and I am happy to have income and health insurance for a year to figure it out.
-for the fact that we have nothing planned over the long weekend. We've had a busy spring, so I am happy to have no cookouts or parties. Just hanging out quietly with my husband and kids. We should make an ice cream run at some point. Otherwise, just peace and quiet.
-for the fact that our new hire is working out beautifully. It is in a position that we have never quite gotten right in the past. The new hire is cooking. Thank goodness.
@Amanda in VA, I'm so sorry you didn't get your dream job. I know it's hard to be that close. But - with the resilient attitude you clearly have, it seems like you'll make any job you take into a great experience for everyone around you. Glad you're having a weekend with family and friends (and ice cream) !
Congratulations Kristen! You did it! Long time reader but first time commenter here from Southern California! I can relate on your nursing journey, my daughter finished her ADN last year and passed her NCLEX and became an RN a few months after. She immediately join a hospital nearby while also studying to get her BSN degree and 2 days ago she graduated and got her BSN degree! Thankful for many blessings!
Big Congrats. Enjoy graduation!!
I am so glad Mia and Lisey were able to be there for your graduation! (I've been getting messages off and on all day from Mia).
Congratulations! You will make a great nurse!
Congratulations Kristin, I hope you enjoyed celebrating your graduation with your nearest and dearest - man did you deserve to! I'm a long time follower who hasn't commented in a decade or more but have been following your nursing school journey and cheering you on all the way. I could relate to a lot of your struggles (and triumphs) - I'll be finishing grad school at the grand old age of 40 later this summer, so our stories have some parallels. Seeing you successfully complete your final exam has helped give me motivation to tackle my final thesis chapter, so thank you!
Sorry, I did of course mean Kristen - damn autocorrect.
You graduated! Summa cum laude! I am so impressed with your diligence during what must have been a couple of very hard years. Much love and hugs sent to you from Oregon.