Thankful Thursday | with a bad attitude
Full disclosure: today I am feeling uncharacteristically negative.
There are a lot of really frustrating and hard things going on in my life and sometimes, that feels a little overwhelming.
But it is also true that there are good things, so I'm gonna make a list. AND I also might have a crying session at some point today.
There's room for both.
This week, I am thankful:
that Lisey is safely back in Hawaii
Her airline doesn't have flights to and from an airport here, so she had to fly into and out of JFK in New York City.
JFK isn't right by an Amtrak station, so she had to navigate a few different public transport options to get there and back.
(I talked to our own Rose for advice, because I knew she had to have traversed this path before.)
Thankfully, Lisey managed it all without a hitch. Yay Lisey!
Also: her free flights are standby, so it's always a relief when there still end up being empty seats. She was refreshing the app frequently to see if the 30 or so empty seats still remained. 🙂
The good news is that it's not like people generally wake up on a Tuesday morning in NYC and decide to take a flight to Hawaii. So if there are 30 empty seats the day before, you're probably good.
It would be much tougher to fly standby to somewhere like Chicago!
for the fun of introducing Lisey to Chiquita
Zoe and I got Chiquita right after Lisey moved, so Lisey had only seen pictures of Chiquita.
But now she got to see her antics in person, and Lisey loved it.
for math skills
"Skills" is maybe not the right word; perhaps "experience" and "practice" are more accurate. I'm not particularly gifted at math; I've just been swimming in it for a long time!
In nursing school, we are working on prepping for a med-math test at the end of the month.
There are 20 questions, you get two attempts, and if you get more than two wrong, you fail the whole semester and have to repeat it.
That would be a crushing blow! But I feel pretty confident that as long as I take my time and I'm careful, I will be able to pass this test.
And my confidence is partly due to my homeschooling years.
Also, I was able to help out a younger classmate who was struggling with the math, and we're probably going to get together for a study session before the test. 🙂
for these little purple volunteer peppers
I got this pot last year from my Buy Nothing group, and at that point it had little red decorative peppers.
I did nothing with it, and this year, a little volunteer plant sprouted up. Interestingly, the peppers are purple, but who knows, perhaps they will eventually become red.
Regardless, they are beautiful.
for lovely weather for an outing with Sonia
We'd been trying to find a time to go visit some antique stores, and we finally made it happen yesterday!
The weather was lovely for walking around downtown, and we got tea together too.
You know how earlier this week we were talking about not having things match?
Well, this little tea shop has that down pat! Every cup and saucer set is a little different.
And I do think that makes the tea experience more fun!
for sunshine today
Alrighty. I feel a little better now, and I'm off to get my school life organized to prep for my exam next week.
I will, of course, retain the option of having a pity party at some point today if it's necessary. 😉
Awww, sorry about the bummer of a week. But you're gonna rock that math test, and the weather is nice, and you got to see Lisey!
What am I thankful for? Still lovely weather--I went swimming yesterday.
It's almost my dad's birthday and I always send Mom flowers on it. Thankful Mom is still around and thankful to have had Dad for as long as we did.
Happy that this blog exists--I learn something here all the time. Definitely a plus in my life and so many others. (No pressure, Kristen! ha.)
An easy and yummy dinner planned for tonight: spinach quiche.
Better sleep lately.
@Rose, my husband just suggested I make quiche for dinner soon! I make a really good bacon/ spinach quiche which he loves. Maybe I’ll do it this week.
@Martha O., The IKEA cafe used to do a bacon spinach quiche which was accompanied by spinach salad with hot bacon dressing. [Insert Homer Simpson drooling] I used to go to IKEA even though it was a hike just to eat that delicious lunch.
Of course there's no reason I can't make hot bacon dressing tonight except for my own laziness. One of these days.
Hang in there! I'm glad you give yourself room to feel all the feelings.
Yeah for math skills and the ability to help a fellow student.
I'm thankful for working from home today while it pours buckets outside, my kitties who are all sleeping, and that I have a safe place for us to be.
Kristen, I'm thankful you have a safe place to be too.
That I was able to fix my robot vacuum. It had a dryer sheet stuck in the tire. Taking those apart is not an easy task.
For some much cooler weather than will kill the overabundant amount of skeeters this year.
For family that we have not seen in quite a long while. It was due to a funeral. It was so nice to chat with them. Odd part was the restaurant had us use the back room along with another group having a birthday party..it was kind of awkward.
For my new co-worker who keeps calling me Ann Marie. I have decided to not correct him anymore. My name isn't Ann Marie but it still cracks me up.
For free food at work. We are hosting a large group from France and there is popcorn daily! 🙂
@Mar, my name isn't Ann Marie, either--but I've lost count of the number of folks who see "A. Marie" on forms and call me Ann Marie. Oh, well...
@Mar, yes, the mosquito invasion this year. I live in So Cal in a desert climate and have had almost no mosquitos ever, But this year, OMG. We can't even sit on our patio. We have installed a bug zapper, citronella packets and a fan and none of them are doing any good. Heavens, it's October already.
Hang in there, sending you good thoughts that hard times will turn into better outcomes.
I am thankful that we are having a soaking rain here after months of terrible drought and heat!
I am also thankful that I avoided getting Covid from my husband, that his was a very mild case and he is back at work, and that he can now cook for us again. Normally he does about 60% of our cooking (was close to 90% when we had children at home) but there was no way I was going to let him touch my food last week.
Sorry having a rough patch today! If you need that crying session do it! better out than in! later/tomorrow will be better than right now! "hugs"
My tomato plant looks better today than it has looked all summer long. It is covered in flowers, has two lovely little tomatoes on it, and is so bushy. The poor thing doesn’t realize it is October. It was a scraggly mess all summer and I finally gave up on it. Now it could win a beauty contest. I may order a grow lamp for fun and see where this tomato plant can go over winter (it is in a pot). At the very least I would end up with a grow lamp that another house plant could use.
I officially lost 15 pounds this summer. I changed some habits and picked up some new ones. When I met my husband I put on quite a few pounds of “fat and happy” weight but I wasn’t comfortable in my skin. I still have a little to go to get to my goal weight but the changes I made should get me there.
I’m over halfway finished with a project that I hope to give my husband as a Christmas gift. I was chatting with my boss about it and she told me to bring it along on an upcoming work trip. She reminded me that we will have lots of down time and it would be the perfect time to work on it. I’m thankful that she supports our life outside of the office.
I am thankful for fall’s cool temps and beautiful colors.
Thankful that we got to spend a little time with our boy at the funeral home. I'm thankful that everyone has been so caring from the nurses at the hospital to the funeral home itself. It's not easy losing a child at birth and it's something that I'm still working through but we're moving ahead one day at a time.
We also have some nice sunshine. Last week was really wet, rainy and gloomy which matched about how I felt about the world then. I'm hoping that the sunshine is a reminder that better days are ahead.
Thankful that my work has been superb with letting me take off the time I need to.
@Battra92, I am so very sorry for your loss!!
@Battra92, really rough times for you right now. So sorry for your loss and wishing you grace and peace.
@Battra92, I’m sorry for the loss of your son. Thinking of you, your wife and daughter .
@Battra92,
This makes me get teary-eyed. Prayers for you all as you and your family walk through this most difficult time.
@Battra92, so sorry for your loss. May his memory be a blessing.
@Battra92,
Thinking of you and your family
@Battra92, I’m sorry for your loss.
@Battra92, sending virtual hugs to your family on such a devastating loss.
@Battra92, I add my sympathy and good wishes to everyone else's. Such a hard loss.
@Battra92, Praying for comfort for your family during this sad time. I am so very sorry for your loss.
@Battra92, I'm so sorry you lost your little one. Sending you and your family all my love.
@Battra92, Sympathy. I was only five when my baby brother was stillborn, but I remember how awful it was. (Also my mother almost died.)
@Battra92,
I am so sorry for your terrible loss. Prayers for you and your family
@Battra92, we're all devastated for you and your wife. Much love to you guys from this whole community.
Battra, I am so very sorry for your loss. You may remember that I was there when my niece was stillborn back in 2009, and it's one of the things that made me want to be a nurse. People going through hard things like that really, really need kind medical people around them, and I am so glad that you guys had that kind of care.
Sending you all the love.
@Battra92, I’m so very sorry for your loss.
@Battra92, condolences on your great loss.
@Battra92, I am so sorry for your loss. Prayers to you and your wife.
@Battra92,
My deepest sympathies to you, your wife, daughter and family. May God grant your son eternal rest and you lasting peace. Hugs.
@Battra92,
With deepest sympathy to you and your family, Battra92.
@Battra92, Such a grievous loss; I'm so sorry.
@Battra92, I’m so very sorry for your devastating loss. Hopefully the precious time you and your wife got to spend with your son will start the long healing process.
@Battra92, along with every else, I am so sorry for your loss! You and your family will be in my prayers.
@Battra92, There hardly seem to be adequate words when one's suffered a loss like yours. Praying for your whole family.
@Battra92, my heart aches for you. Hugs.
@Battra92,
Prayers for your family at this sad time.
@Battra92, Oh. I am so sorry for your loss. "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." May God give you comfort in His everlasting love.
@Battra92, thinking of you & your family.
@Battra92,
So sorry for your loss! Sending prayers & hugs to you and your family.
@Battra92, Joining the others in extending hugs to you, your wife and daughter and mutual tears for such a devastating loss. May God wrap His arms around you and give you comfort.
@Battra92, I'm so sorry. Praying comfort for you and your family.
@Battra92, I'm so terribly sorry. I also lost a son right before birth. Like you, the nurses were wonderful. I made so many special connection in the wake of his death. I can still remember seeing him and smelling him in the funeral home before the service like it was yesterday. My heart breaks for you. It's a hard journey and then someday it will not always hurt as bad as it does right now. Warm hugs...
@Battra92,
♥♥
@Battra92, sending thoughts of peace & comfort to you, your wife, and your daughter
@Battra92,
I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm sending you healing thoughts as you move through this tragedy.
@Battra92, My thoughts are with you and your family at this very difficult time. May your hearts be healed in time with your love for each other.
@Battra92, Your precious boy is with the angels. I am so sorry for your loss and hope better days are right around the corner. Condolences to you, your wife and family.
@Battra92, I am very, very sorry for your loss.
@Battra92, oh, I'm so very sorry and will be thinking of you and your family as you grieve.
@Battra92, I am crying for you and your family. Your son will always be with you.
@Battra92,
My deepest condolences to you and your family. I am grateful for all of the caring professional people who are making this difficult time perhaps the slightest bit less difficult. Thinking of you and sending gentle hugs.
I very much appreciate and am thankful to you. Thank you for providing this lovely place to visit.
It can be hard to be thankful!
I am a high school teacher and right now I am feeling frustrated, especially because my principal was a jerk when I left work 20 minutes early (after teaching all classes was over but before the after-school work time was over) because I had an appointment for my COVID booster. I have over 100 sick days and 15 personal days stored, which show you how rarely I miss school.
But I am thankful for...
1. My college daughter is coming home for the weekend for her fall break. I didn't think she would, so that is a delightful surprise. Can't wait to give her a squeeze!
2. My daughter asked if we could cook a mini-Thanksgiving meal while she was home, and yes, I have a turkey breast in the deep freeze!
3. Although there are many annoying things about my job, I LOVE the teaching part of it, so that is the most important and my students this year are great.
4. When I went to get my COVID shot, the pharmacist said he had some extra flu shots and so I was able to get both at the same time. On the website it had said only COVID was available and no flu. That was a nice surprise and convenient.
@Ann, I'm so sorry the principal was such a jerk to you. It's awful to have a difficult boss!
@Ann, would he rather you get COVID, miss several days of school and he would have to pay for a substitute? Leaving 20 minutes early one day is the cheaper of the options. Maybe someone could point that out. Maybe he's having a stressful year already. I hope that was just a one off and he understands what a great employee you are. Have a great weekend.
Thankfuls:
1. that Kristen shows us how to find the good things when life feels hard, sad, full of difficult or seemingly impossible obstacles
2. for a great summer at the cabin in spite of the place being closed to the public because the road is trashed
3. that we will be closing the cabin this weekend—it is little more than a shack at 7800' so it is definitely a summer cabin and I am READY TO BE HOME
4. that repairs are supposed to have started on the road this week (a little late in the season, for Pete's sake!) which we will find out about in a few hours
5. that I finished some difficult work tasks yesterday so that I can go up the hill today without them hanging over my head.
P.S. Great photos today!
Hi! Dimensional Analysis is a process...Nursing school is hard and challenging and can be such a grind. There will be many ups and downs BUT keep the WHY in the forfront! You will crush it and it will all work out.
And once you are a nurse it will never stop...the learning...it is lifelong and you will get very comfortable with being uncomfortable, trust me.
Love reading your blog! Keep grinding...one exam at a time
I don't think we can do much better on a hard day than to count our blessings - and still retain the option to cry, of course!
1. I'm thankful that my daughter arrived safely at her hotel in D.C. and was announced on a small board at check-in as "guest of the day," much to her amusement. Her big prize was a cup of coffee, which she hates, so she traded for a bag of cashews instead.
2. I'm ever so thankful that insurance has agreed that I should replace my roof and will pay a decent portion of it.
3. I'm thankful for the lovely roselle hibiscus blooms in my garden plot and the beautiful burgundy red calyces that will make delicious jelly, jam and tea, among other things.
4. I'm thankful for the cool front heading this way. It will be brief, but it will be nice, and anything that helps cool down the Gulf waters is beneficial. We are still in hurricane season.
5. I'm thankful for my loving parents. Today is the 25th anniversary of their deaths, and I am grateful for the good memories they left me. Not everyone has good memories of their parents, so I'm very thankful that I do.
@JD, my sympathy and good wishes on the 25th anniversary of losing your parents. (I remember your story about this and know that it was traumatic.) But I'm glad you have good memories of them.
And hurray that the insurance has OK'd replacing your roof and will pay for at least part of it! Not easy in FL these days, I know.
Thank you for being honest about your bad attitude. I have a bad attitude today too. I'm battling cancer, and I'm on chemo right now. It just sucks and puts me in a negative mood. Such is life. I hope counting my blessings will help me too.
I am thankful
-That the chemo is working. It makes feeling really crappy bearable.
-That I have the support systems in place to be able to take it easy right now.
-For modern medicine. For so many reasons. Today I took our daughter to have a cavity filled. What a miracle that she can have a safe, effective filling with almost no pain. Not that long ago, and for most of human history, her little cavity would likely have turned into a very painful tooth that might have lead to more problems like infection and could have only been resolved with very traumatic care.
-For pretty scarves. I've never cared much about my hair, so I wasn't devastated to lose it. I really like the scarves I have, and I have enjoyed twisting them into fun styles more than I anticipated. I am starting to think about what fun, new things I might do with my hair when it starts to grow back next year.
-For history. I am a historian. Much of the work of history is just as frustrating and exhausting as any other form of work. But, man, I love history itself. Getting lost in another era. The beauty of a really well-written monologue. Thinking about how understanding another time can give us incite into the problems and concerns of our own. I am doing a lot of reading these days, and enjoying that part immensely.
Okay, I do feel a little better. Thank you Kristen.
@Amanda in VA,
I tried scarves when I lost my hair and could never get them to sit right! I wore baseball caps instead (except for church when I put on a scarf and hoped it wouldn't fall off!). The funny thing is I never wear baseball caps in real life - I had to steal them from my kids. Oh, do not wear straw hats- they are scratchy when you don't have hair!
I'm glad you have a fun with your scarves! Maybe you'll get chemo curls when you hair grows in! (I did, and though they didn't last past a few haircuts, it was the best hair of my life.)
I hope your chemo continues to work and that you feel better soon!
@Amanda in VA, I'm sorry you are going through this.
@Amanda in VA,
I'm pulling for you to get through that chemo with flying colors. I hope the chemo won't be too brutal and that the round of chemo will be over and done with real soon. Find yourself a really wonderful history book and indulge! (I, too, am a history buff and can't wait to dive in to my next volume....if I can just decide which one to start.....)
@Amanda in VA, sending healing thoughts your way!
You know I keep my fingers crossed for good outcomes of your private struggles, even if I do not mention those a lot. We wish you really well and you are welcome to cry on our virtual shoulders whenever you need to and we will pour you a virtual cuppa in an entirely unmatching set of china.
This week I am deeply thankful that our youngest did not move into dorms with a very shady real estate person who after repeated requests did not prepare a contract (oh but all will be well and if you sign a paper we will fill in details later. Nope.)
And we had a week's leave, and our cats n kids are just delightfully happy to have us back home.
Now back to work-
I'm all of the jetlagged feelings, after flying back from France yesterday. I was a little disappointed that our business upgrade didn't clear (because, all of those upgrades were earned in very non-fun ways - lots of international work travel), but I'm grateful for the experience, despite not getting any sleep. 😉
1) For travel partners that are so enjoyable! (My sister, & BFF/college roommate). This was our longest & first international girls trip, and we've vacationed together many times before this. I feel so lucky to have people to travel with that are so enjoyable.
2) To be home. It was an incredible trip, but it's always a treat to be back home, with your family (longest I've ever been away from my husband or the teens) & just in your own environment.
3) For the financial flexibility that allows me to plan a trip like this, and treat my sister. It would not be an option for her, and she got to go to Europe for the first time!
4) We did get upgraded in Nice, and our room had a patio, where we could hang out, drink champagne & enjoy the ocean view. Given how tiny our room was, we spent a lot of time on the patio!
5) That we didn't get bed bugs on the trip! Apparently, they are all over Paris (hotels, trains, public transit, etc) & we avoided any bed bugs. Hurrah. We were a little panicked, and did get mosquito bites in Nice, but no bed bugs.
I read that you bought some pot
Sending you so much love Kristen. It’s been a really hard week In my neck of the woods, aging parents and step parents are a gut check sometimes. I hope you can feel your feelings and then pick yourself up and continue on. That’s what I’m trying to do, thanks in part to you and your blog.
Feel your feelings, let them out, continue on. Life is wild.
This quote has been helping me… maybe it’ll help you or someone else too. It doesn’t have all of what I believe in it but I love the “I want to be thoroughly used up when I die.” Part.
“Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake. The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” -Charles Bernard Shaw
@Caitlie, also. I’m thankful for my family. The who wacky lot of them.
@Caitlie, George Bernard Shaw.
@Rose, thanks for correcting me.
I am having one of those days also.The good bad and the ugly:
First the good:
1. I am grateful for my cozy living room, at dawn, with fresh hot coffee. 2. Grateful I have enough money to pay our overhead,and buy groceries, I am safe. I see very stressed out Moms at the grocery and I wish inflations would calm down. 3. I am grateful for the Love in my life 4. I am grateful I have a vehicle that is reliable. 5. I am grateful I have a short trip planned for November.
Other:
Worried over our kitty who needs a surgery.Waiting for pre op blood work so we can see if we can get it done on Friday.Stressed over the state of the world right now. Worried in general about other family members,ongoing challenges, and the future.
So, will chalk this up to a crazy day, not my best,I am thinking I will go to the library.When I lose myself in a stack of books I usually feel better. A late afternoon “cry” is not out of the question.
Sending you hugs.You will ACE that math test!!
@Madeline, Hope all works out well for your beloved feline.
@Madeline, I could have written all of this with only a few small modifications. I too love the library -it grounds me.
Crying in the bath with wine is a great coping mechanism! Sorry you’re struggling.
I’m thankful for what I’m learning from a book called We All Know How This Ends. It’s about managing death and grief and I’m finding it useful. It’s written by an end of life doula and a funeral director (UK based like me) but everything is relatable. My FIL has terminal cancer and my mum is 86 so I’m putting on my big girl pants and looking at ways that might help the process be easier.
I’m thankful I have colleagues who support me and are understanding that I was off sick with a cold, for the plants in my conservatory, cake, and the dinners my partner cooks.
@Victoria, May I also suggest "Why Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant" by the wonderful Roz Chast? Funny, loving, clear-eyed.
@Rose, if I could swap heads with anyone on this continent, it'd be Roz Chast. She is SO good.
Kristen,
You are beautiful, inside and out. A kind group leader once took me on a walk on a particularly no good horrible day and she pointed me to the sun and said " you are the cream, you will rise to the top". I know you know this and icky horrible no good things happen to the sweetest people, trust me that your karma checkbook is filling up and will someday payout in mysterious wonderful ways. On these occasions, have a good cleansing cry, wash away the negative working on you. Really great move with helping the struggling classmate!
Aww, thank you. This is so kind.
@Kristen, YOU are so kind. Taking all those years of home schooling math and using them to tutor and mentor a classmate? You rock, lady.
Also, Kristen, eat those peppers! They're about jalapeno level on spicy. It's a hybrid of Thai pepper.
Or smoke em and then dry them, like chipotle? That might be fun, in your endless free time.
@Rose, those look like the peppers my grandmother grew for decoration. She called them bouquet peppers. They would turn purple, yellow, orange and red at different stages; sometimes all colors would be visible at once. Pretty to look at but much hotter than a jalapeño. More like lava. Maybe Kristen will give us a report.
@Rose,
I was looking at them and wondering if they were fish peppers. If so, you've got a very pretty and unique edible with an interesting history to boot.
https://pepperscale.com/fish-pepper/
@Kristen I am cheering you on and wish we lived closer so I could call you for a coffee date and be a listening ear. Praying for you friend 🙂
1. Thankful for a lovely night of worship at our church last night. How refreshing for my soul.
2. For the dose of cool autumn air scheduled to arrive this weekend. I could not be more excited and plan to wrap up and sit outside to drink my coffee. My favorite season is here at long last.
3. For a day off tomorrow to spend with just my husband and my son. What a blessing.
4. For my two dogs who give us so much love and entertain us with their antics. Gosh I love those two.
5. Good sleep. I struggle in this area and lately I Have been sleeping 8+ hours per night and it is so wonderful.
My goodness. Just reading through the post and the comments today - so many people dealing with so many difficult things. Sending out some love and some positive thoughts into the world. It's truly tough out there but it won't always be this way.
Your report of Lisey navigating her way from the train to JFK brought up a memory for me of a grudge I am still holding against my sister 40 years later. 😀
Decades ago I flew into JFK a number of times to visit my sister. She always met me at the airport. But this time she couldn't get away and wanted me to take public transportation to her office downtown. I'm not a meek person but I like to know exactly what I'm doing and where I'm going and her directions were vague.
I didn't have a clue, was schlepping a suitcase and finally had to sidle up to a lone lady on the subway to get directional help. When I finally arrived at my sister's New York sized office building I was totally confused by their "security" elevator and got off on the wrong floor. She laughed at me.
Okay, she really has become a very nice sister and besides I have made her pay for any meanness many times over. 😀 😀
@Anne, Fortunately, NYC got a clue and built the Air Train, so you can go to Jamaica and then get on either the Long Island Rail Road or any subway. Newark is similarly easy but it's taxi time if you go to La Guardia! Or you can take a bus, but who takes buses?
If Lisey ever gets stuck, of course she should hit me up for a bed, if she's up for yet another tiresome schlep. Heh.
I definitely think that if you feel emotions building to a point of tears, cry. Crying stabilizes something in the brain ( I can’t remember what). When I was going through the separation of my first marriage, I cried often. It came in waves and I always felt more calm and clear- minded after each crying jag. Those emotional waves gradually subsided but I’m still a very sensitive person so I cry easily whether it’s because I’m having a bad day or if I’m empathizing with someone else’s sadness. Cry if you need to, Kristen and then sing or shout if you feel like it.
I’m glad Lisey was able to come home for a visit!
I’m thankful for good health. A number of our friends and family are suffering from various illnesses. Some are seasonal allergies. I struggle with allergy to leaves at this time of year but so far it’s not too bad. So I’m thankful.
Always glad to have visits with our grandson. He’s getting cuter in appearance and in personality. We only get to see him about every two weeks but those times are such a delight.
I’m so thankful finally to have gotten a few of my paintings hung in our dining room along with a quilt a dear friend made for me when I was going through radiation treatments a couple years ago. The colors in my paintings don’t exactly match the colors in the quilt but they coordinate enough to make a nice wall display. That makes me glad. And the paintings were some I created during my cancer -treatment season so it seems meaningful to hang them with the quilt.
I’m so grateful for good friends and neighbors.
I’m thankful for friends who share our love for live concerts and with whom we can attend a Christmas concert actually in November! I guess that will start the season with great joy!
@Martha O., AND, I have read that the chemical c0mposition of tears is very good for your skin! (I don't know if this is true but I like believing it.)
I hear you! Keep positive mindset & STUDY for your math test---how scary that if miss only 2 out of 20 (?) you fail whole class because of one test. Good luck--sending positive energy your way.
Mixed bag for me also-- so here goes.
Thankful for the really nice warm 80s most of last week which now have turned to RAINY days ahead, especially today as it has been rain non stop since 6:30 am & raining hard which has resulted in very wet basement. It literally looks like few small constant water flow from some spots in wall. I knew I needed to cement caulk/fill in
some spots but have never had this much water & it's only been 5 hours. The sump pump hole (not cemented) is overflowed & the excess recessed cemented area around it is starting to overflow. I have always had dehumidifier in basement (wherever I had one) but had to unhook drain hose & put cap on to fill up interior bucket which I think will be more productive way of collecting water. Got the shop vac out to start sucking up water (after done here).
It's raining so hard that the dogs refuse to go outside to go potty. Hint--look for accidents later. It's 95% chance rain all day long today. Break tomorrow then rain Saturday night (only) with cool down to 60 then 50s next week. If not overwhelmed by water in basement plan on rearranging dining room & getting rid of items need to go elsewhere. Hoping to make look nicer so can get back to eating at dining room table (need to clean couch & chair since been eating out in living room instead). Plus teen enjoys working at dining room table on school work.
Because of rain teen (& high schoolers) did not get to go outside & see military Helo flown into school for career day today. And had large amount of careers planned on coming & was going go have outside in parking lot on one side of building---most likely did not happen. Will wait to here from teen how it went.
Was excited to get NIP my 31 Farmers LUT online for cheapest price seen, so ordered for teen (wants to farm). Just arrived & quickly opened to inspect before accepting order online. So SAD that was inside new package but opened & took out & inside of tote stained black in multiple spots (& tried to clean but unsuccessful). Left review stating this & now not sure if going to gift to teen or take loss (no returns).
Just received the electric/gas bill for last month. I had prepaid ahead at end of September because starting October 1 $3.99 surcharge to use your debit/credit card (which is only option unless mail check because no payment offices as of 1+ year ago). I suspected a little more than September bill but was happily surprised was less than September bill so have credit for November bill.
Just recieved my FREE COVID TESTS (Michigan) & expiration date 06/2023. Ordered for my Aunt (Florida) & she got same dates. Apparently they come from one of 3 sites around USA, but do not necessarily come from site closest to you (as have seen previously). Have to go online & see what govt says extended expiration date is.
Many blessing to each of you & may you continue to stay blessed.
Grace to you in this hard time! I didn't comment yesterday, but I'm really glad that you got some in- person time with Lisey.
This week I'm thankful:
* for cooler weather ahead.
* that today's rain got pushed back a few hours, which allowed time for walking the dog while my 5yo rode her bike.
* for a new friend in my Thursday morning workout class.
* for a great grocery shopping trip. A local store is having a huge store-brand sale this week and between stocking up on those things and finding discounted meat, yogurt, milk, and produce I was able to get a full cart of groceries for $62. It's so hard to stay in budget for food right now and this morning really encouraged me.
* for a great community around me.
Sending you love for the hard time - that’s a lovely list!
My list is
1. A lovely trip to visit my daughter at UVA - we’re heading down now for a very long weekend where I’ll also get to see some old friends
2. My son and his girlfriend are going to meet us there as well - I love her almost as much as I love him - bonus!
3. We’ve been living with a deck so broken that we could barely walk across it for the minefield - it’s finally being fixed - I’ve been saving up for this for ages
4. I paid off my mortgage this month a few years early - I’m so happy!
5. A brief return to warm weather always makes me happy
@cherie, Great time of year to visit Charlottesville - enjoy! And congratulations on the deck AND the mortgage. Wow!
@cherie, Paying off the mortgage is a super major achievement -- congrats! And the most wonderful part about it is that your home is 100% yours, no one can take it away, no matter what the economy does. That's a wonderful feeling. You will soon get very, very spoiled not having to make a house payment every month!
Appreciate your honesty about having a bad attitude today. I am not thankful that you feel that way, though!
I am thankful...
That my two kids in school like it and are doing well, and my two at home play well together most of the time
That our children's librarian does a great job with storytime
That my husband comes home today from being out of town for work
That my MIL and I will spend Saturday making applesauce together - always a nice time
For the beautiful changing colors outside
Sometimes a good cry is just what we need. I hope the hard times get easier for you.
Today I'm thankful for beautiful fall weather, for the opportunity to get together with good friends, that my old dog is feeling good, for an unexpected kindness from an acquaintance, and for homemade chocolate chip cookies!
“Write it on your heart
that every day is the best day in the year.
He is rich who owns the day, and no one owns the day
who allows it to be invaded with fret and anxiety.
Finish every day and be done with it.
You have done what you could.
Some blunders and absurdities, no doubt crept in.
Forget them as soon as you can, tomorrow is a new day;
begin it well and serenely, with too high a spirit
to be cumbered with your old nonsense.
This new day is too dear,
with its hopes and invitations,
to waste a moment on the yesterdays.”
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson
@JDinNM,
I've always loved this poem but had forgotten about it. Thank you for posting it!
Kristen, you are such a loving, positive, kind person- please remember to be extra kind to yourself, especially when feelings insist on being felt. This is a huge season of change for you and you are navigating with such grace and joy. A good cleansing cry is sometimes just the ticket!
I love your mismatched dining set- at our wedding 23 years ago we had mismatched china and that was one of my favorite parts about the decor:)
I love that you got to see all of your girls and that you get to enjoy them as young adults too! And that Lisey and Chiquita got to meet IRL!!
Also we LOVE nurses!!!
"[T]he best way out is always through."
Robert Frost, A Servant to Servants
"You take the good, you take the bad,
You take them both and there you have
The facts of life, the facts of life...
"You got the future in the palm of your hand.
All you gotta do to get you through is understand...
You will never make it through without the truth.
The facts of life are all about you."
No, not Robert Frost. Alan Thicke, The Facts of Life Theme Lyrics.
I left a note for Battra92 above--but I'm also sending good thoughts to Kristen, Rose, Amanda in VA, and everyone else who's going through an extra-rough patch this week. Give yourselves grace and space, cry if you need to, and do anything else that helps.
Also, I love Chiquita's "shirtsleeves" in that photo where she's dangling off the kitchen counter!
@A. Marie, I just this minutes left a comment: I also loved Chiquita's legs dangling off the counter.
Re: rough patches this week: I was deciding whether to have a little weep, or whether to have chocolate for lunch. The chocolate won out! And I'm feeling in better spirits.
You miss your girl. It takes time to get use to them being gone.
Feels like all my thankful things have an inner core of sad. But the outer layer is what I will focus on today.
*Mom's funeral went off without a hitch. Family and neighbors came all the way out to the middle of East Texas and said goodbye. The flowers were beautiful. The service was nice. We got there safely and back. Good: I can now plan a funeral. Bad: I never want to again. On the way home, the lady that served us lunch at a diner was a grump, but I made sure we were BESTIES by the time we left. And yes, I did tip her.
*Spent a bunch on tree pruning, avoiding limbs hitting my roof during a raging storm 24 hours later.
*Spent a bunch on tires, having a safer vehicle to drive.
*Still working on mom's bills, with the blessing of her executor, until I reach a stopping place and I can say I did my very best.
*I've had a big chunk of time off from work and I am getting a lot of things done: got my hair cut, made a dental appointment, cleaned up my office, cleaned out under my kitchen sink, got groceries bought, mowed the grass, etc.
*Today would have been my 38th wedding anniversary. Instead of crying - not saying I won't at some point - I'm going to text friends, eat a good lunch, going to a Goodwill book store, make a great soup for dinner, read, and tuck in early.
Next week will be better.
@Gina from the Cannary Family, I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your mom. It's been 2 1/2 years since my mom died, and I still think, "I need to call mom and tell her about ...." before it hits me that I don't have that option. It hurts to lose a dearly loved one.
@Gina from the Cannary Family, I'm sorry that you've lost your mom, not long after losing your DH. At least I didn't have to take those two losses close together in time--and I send my sympathies that you did. And I'll probably take your excellent advice about dealing with the wedding anniversary when my 44th comes up on 10/30.
@Gina from the Cannary Family, Sending you good wishes for coming through a difficult time of missing your dear DH.
@Gina from the Cannary Family, I'm so sorry for your losses. Hang in there.
Aww, Gina. I know that anniversaries can be so hard. I think your plan sounds so perfect, and I hope that if you needed to cry, you also made space for that.
@Gina from the Cannary Family, sending hugs from Minnesota.
I'm so sorry that you are having a tough day. I appreciate that you went ahead with Thankful Thursday despite everything.
I realize that this makes me an oddball (well, so many things make me that way, haha), but I am super grateful that the summery warm weather we've been having is finally leaving our area and we are getting some well-needed rain as well as cooler fall temperatures. Bring on sweater weather!
Thankful my sister's ER visit last week turned out to be a non-event.
Our kittens are officially ours! We "passed" the requirements for keeping them (mostly, documentation from our vet to let the shelter know that we are indeed following up on healthcare for them).
Thankful that they are such funny little goobers!
That my daughter was accepted into one of her two favorite options for college next year. I never had any doubts, but there's something about seeing it written in black and white.
Thankful that we started this journey towards figuring out colleges/majors a year ago. We live in a predominantly blue-collar area and the high school counselors (who are no doubt overworked) don't offer a lot of guidance in this area. I feel for the kids whose parents haven't attended university--there's a lot to navigate and if your school and/or parents aren't guiding you, how the heck do you figure it all out? So many of her friends are struggling with the "what's next" question, as well as trying to fit in all the stuff that happens in your senior year. Anyway, despite the stressful/tearful moments we've had, I feel like she's in a good place right now to make a thoughtful decision.
Kristen, I am SO JEALOUS of your tea experience with Sonia. That is right up my alley and looks like great fun. I love how she dressed the part. It looks like you had a fun day!
@Kris, My parents were both jealous and proud of me when I went to college. We didn't visit any ahead of time because we couldn't afford it, and then some ordinary college stuff, like paying for textbooks, was the cause of arguments. My mother refused to believe that with all that money the school charged, you have to pay for textbooks too.
I used to throw tea parties like that every year. The nonprofit historic house I was on the board of would hold a tea every year to thank the volunteers (of course, the people who put it all together, including me, were a core small group of volunteers). I decided that real china would be nicer than paper cups, so I went around thrifting for fancy tea cups and saucers, usually about 35 of them, none of which matched. Then after the volunteers scoffed the scones I made, and the cookies, cakes and sandwiches other people made, they could bring the cup and saucer home as a gift. Whatever ones were left over my daughter snagged!
@Rose, I'll come to any tea party that you throw. 🙂 I have several antique teacups which I have inherited from various family members/friends, and while they aren't worth much in terms of money, they are rich in the memories that they bring.
Well this week has been better than I expected, so I'll start with that!
I'm very grateful for the really good dental team that took out my son's wisdom teeth this week. Two days after the surgery and he's feeling well, just a little sore. Also grateful for the modern techniques they have for taking wisdom teeth out! Back when I had mine gouged out before they erupted, I was healing up for two weeks. Now, i gather, they use lasers to chop up the teeth before removing them, with much less trauma to the mouth. Amazing.
When he came home we pretty much isolated him in case he had been exposed to Covid during his surgery, and so far no symptoms, so I think we're in the clear. We just had everyone down with Covid last month, so I realllly didn't want to repeat that. The poor kid was really good about staying in his room with his masked mom coming in to give him his meds and soft foods.
Grateful for the cooling weather! Big rain coming in today means cooler temps starting this weekend and I am SO ready for it.
I'm grateful for being able to take morning walks before the kids get up, and evening walks with my husband. We have such a nice, mostly quiet neighborhood, with little through traffic.
I'm grateful for Kristen posting her weights routine a little while ago, which spurred me to revamp mine, and I'm feeling and seeing results! Just got to keep it up. Thank you, Kristen!
@Karen A., Your last thankful about Kristen posting her weights routine: I had fallen off the exercise wagon so to speak; but after reading about her exercise, I was motivated and took myself off to the gym. A workout for me is always very good for my mental health, not to mention physical health.
Prayers for you in your coming math test. That was one of those nursing school milestones I was sure glad to get done!
Thankful roof not damaged by neighbor’s falling tree limbs. Thankful for good emergency fund that covered removal by my long-time tree service (a service that is not cheap but necessary!)
Thankful an investment made years ago, not thought of, looked at in long time, has greatly increased in value.
Thankful to get “ladybird” deed (called this in Texas) done so house and contents (without need for probate) go to my designated loved ones when the time (which I pray is long, long years away) comes that I no longer need!!
Thankful no kidney stones in either kidney
on Sept ultrasound. Pray it stays that way.
I’m thankful for living, I’m thankful each day!
My therapist had a cartoon posted in her reception area showing two women sitting on a bench with their feet in a puddle. The caption said, "It's OK to splash your feet in the pity pool but you are not supposed to get down and wallow in it." I think you are doing it right.
One of the best things when emotions get hard, I find, is to sit with them for a few minutes. Let them in, acknowledge them, let them stay for a bit and be recognized, then gently push them to the side and go on.
I hope you find something that works for you and good luck with your test. I haven't been in contact but I've been thinking of you, confident in your ability to be a great nursing student, then a great nurse.
Oh my gosh, the photo of Chiquita on the half wall with her front feet hanging over, melt my heart and give me a good laugh. Priceless!
This has been a less than stellar few weeks: Senior cat 19 (years old) has some major illnesses: she has 10% kidney function; masses in her abdomen but not around her organs, they seem to be cavitational masses but are not bothering her (most likely cancerous but that most likely won't be what she dies from); pancreatitus; and after all that my eyes kind of glazed over and I did not take in anything else that the vet said. We have to give her (the cat, not the vet!) fluids (at home @ 3:30pm) under the skin, 60mL daily, so the thankful part is that my HB is not squeemish with needles, this is a man who watches when having his blood drawn. I hold the cat still while HB does the subcutaneous fluids. I monitor the toileting duties, so I'm up before 7am to take her outside to pee, and then at 11pm down to the litterbox to pee. I.am.tired. HB sits outside during the day with her and so I get a bit of a break from cat duties. Other than these challenges, Senior 19 is happy and purrs a lot.
My auntie (mothers sister) passed away. This was (somewhat) unexpected although she had some serious health issues. Thankful that my brother and his young son had flown to the UK to celebrate my aunties 80th birthday about a month prior.
I saw my first hummingbird. I told that to HB and he said that he has seen a number of them for which I am thankful; in my mind I envisioned that maybe they were getting to be extinct and that is why I had not seen any.
We had cooler and windy weather for which I am thankful as that means less or no mosquitoes. We have been back to warm weather (27+ Celcius) the past 4 days, so yup I am mosquito bitten. I do not react well to bites in general. I had 3 nasty bites this summer in places on my body that I do not believe mosquitoes can get to so I'm thinking spider bites, and they welted up and hurt as well as badly itchy. Thankful for my Topical Analgesic Bug Bite relief stick that relieves the itch. And thankful for the next 5 days of rain and more Autumnal weather to come. Happy upcoming weekend to everyone.
I too am feeling blue today. DH was starting to feel a little better but he's sliding back into feeling wretched all the time. I had a little pity party for myself and cried myself to sleep last night about how frustrating his situation is for both of us. Maybe someday, one of his many doctors can find the root cause of his ills.
Thankful list for this week:
- I'm thankful for all the family and friends that reached out with birthday well wishes.
- I'm thankful that our son was able to stop by to give me a birthday hug.
- I'm thankful for the beautiful bouquet of flowers our chief scientist's "plants" sent me for my birthday (it's a running joke between me and the chief scientist). I take care of his plants when he is out of the office, and his "plants" often send me a kind note or token of appreciation.
- I'm thankful that I can finally go up and down stairs with little pain after spraining my ankle.
- I'm thankful for the cooler weather.
Would anyone know which company made that bold beautiful tea cup and saucer? It’s a beauty! So happy you went for tea with your daughter! JOY!
Sooo many things to be thankful for...
1. We were able to take a long awaited trip (first for me) to Europe after waiting out Covid etc. for the last 3 years. (Sadly we both got Covid on the trip)
2. We left for Europe just as we were going into 8 or 9 days of rain here and the bonus was fantastic, glorious sunshine and warm temps in Amsterdam, Germany and Switzerland....and a return home to sunshine!
3. Thankful that I kept checking forecasts and not only packed capris, but threw in 2 pr of shorts as well. Perfect clothes for our adventures! I hate being too hot!
4. Thankful that my partner, despite getting sick on day 5 (thinking he had a bad cold), still went on our outings, even though he just waited for me while I climbed stairs to observation decks, towers and went on an alpine slide.
5. Thankful that I started feeling ill on our last day and while the night was horrible (and I nearly cried wondering how I'd be able to schlep all of my stuff to the train station with the head to toe body aches), I was grateful to wake feeling good.
6. That I packed lots of masks which we wore consistently.
7. That despite a cancelled train out of Lucerne, we decided to be patient and see if the next train was running instead of taking journey to another town and hoping to catch a train to Zurich from there as the police officer had suggested. It all worked out, and even though we had to change trains in Zurich, we made it to the airport, navigated the very confusing terminal to find our airline and had almost an hour to spare.
8. Grateful that despite our late arrival in Iceland (we only had a 50 minute turnover to start), we actually got a gate (instead of parking out on the tarmac and getting bussed) and were able.to make our flight home.
9. Grateful that we have spare bedrooms so we could sleep apart for the first time since his illness started 6 days ago (or not sleep because of the hacking, coughing, tossing, turning, sweating and freezing!). It was a relief knowing we weren't keeping the other awake.
10. Grateful I won't have to miss work because of this since I don't go back until Monday night and I'll be at 7 days by then.
11. Thankful for the ability to lay low and heal for the next few days. Bonus, I don't need to feel guilty spending time uploading pictures, catching up on the football games I've missed, napping, and, I have time to get my Halloween decorations up since I won't be out running errands!
I remain thankful for this meeting place. It is a daily joy and encouraging place to share the ups and downs of our lives. It is the only one I read thoroughly and actually comment on.
I had a rough patch at work last month and in the end was gratified to learn that I had very many nurse aides and several nurses who were in support for "my side" of the situation. That said, I took ownership in my shortcomings. Taking care of geriatric residents is not for sissies. I learned several years ago that to the end of my days I want to be teachable.
I am thankful for my support system of church and family. I have listened to two co-workers that have been inundated with family illness that have no one to help. Both situations require time and finances to which I'm already committed, though I am still looking for ways to be supportive.
Always thankful for my Molly. I never wanted a beagle. Their bark is a mournful OWOOO that reaches the depth of your soul, but here I am, with a beagle mix that sheds relentlessly. I am thankful her groomer also loves her and understands her needs. They were together yesterday and Molly is much more "enjoyable" in smell and coat.
It has been very dry here, but the weather temperature and sunshine have been very pleasant. I have run the ac, for which I'm thankful, mostly to keep the high levels of pollen outside.
I have had a couple of "blue" days this week. So I also appreciate the ability of this exercise and like mindedness of others.
Kristen … I hope your mood improves when the time is right. I went through a divorce years ago; and, as difficult as it was, I am to this day, forever thankful I’m no longer married to him! Doesn’t make some of the day-to-day or week-to-week stuff easier but it helps.
I’m not much of a cat person, mostly because I’m so allergic to them, but that picture of Chiquita on the ledge in the kitchen made me laugh out loud! There may have even been a snort.
I’m thankful my Covid test was negative this morning 5 days post a very close encounter with a positive-testing person. Now I can sleep in my own bed.
Yes! I never question my decision to divorce; it's just that the process really sucks. I bet you are so glad to have that long behind you.
@Kristen, You will too ❤️
Today I am thankful for the guy who pressure washed my house yesterday. He is a firefighter who does this on the side (so I know he can handle a garden hose! lol), and a member of our gifting group. I've been waiting for my lawn guy to do it, but he's been busy and then his power washer broke. So I contacted Adam, and he did my house, my vinyl fence, the sidewalk, back porch, the vinyl frame of my raised bed gardens, and threw in my shed at no additional cost. It is sooo nice to walk in and out of my gate and not see that yukky green-ness every time.
And having a specific date on such short notice, had me scrambling to trim the bushes round my house, so that looks much better as well. It's been too hot and dry this summer to get to them earlier.
And then, having the house washed has prompted me to clean all the windows from the inside, once I saw how nice the outside looked. And of course, I have started putting curtains into the wash. If I'm going to be stuck inside all winter, let me get the inside as clean and decluttered as possible.
Then there was the major shed clean-out with giving away bins and bins of Halloween decor, and freeing up space to put the Christmas bins in, which will free up my sun porch. I have worked my buns off this past week, but it will all be so worth it when I can sit on that sun porch and have a cup of coffee, even if I have to be wrapped in a blanket to enjoy it!
I think Chiquita is trying to tell you to hang in there. She's such a character! I'm sending love and light to all of you going through the hards of life right now. I have some hards at the moment too that I can't really share for now, but it does help to acknowledge that I'm not alone in experiencing the agonies of life alongside the joys. Thank you, Kristen, for the weekly reminder to notice the joys. Today I am thankful for funny cats, supportive friends and family, resilient children and my ability to teach children how to be resilient when they don't come to it naturally!
@Becca,
Also, I'm thankful for whoever figured out how to safely consume fermented fruit juices for the first time. It must have been a leap of faith...
Sending you some love too!
Medication math is hard. I use a lot of cross multiplying as I really like to see things laid out. (some of my younger colleagues look at me funny...but I also have a little calculator in my pocket...instead of using a phone calculator, they get a kick out of that too!!)
It is not a race. Just take your time and use your basic math skills.
you got this!! 🙂
Haha, well, we were actually required to buy a little simple pocket calculator for this class!
I am so thankful for the mild, warm fall weather here in Denver! The leaves are still on the trees and it's just lovely here right now, mostly in the 70's. My favorite kind of weather!
Re not matching - I lived in Tokyo for a few years and found a coffee shop with mismatched, random cups&saucers. When you placed your order, the waitperson would decide which set to serve you based on their impression of you. Delightful and they had great coffee too!
Oh, that is a fun twist! It must be so interesting to see what they pick for you.
I think it is the week. Although, the weather has been gorgeous. I wish you good luck on your math test.
I had an encounter with a pushy person.
I am having difficulty applying for a grant. They have a very convoluted system. I have to change my email address to apply for the grant I want. If the new program coordinator from the other club wants to apply for a grant, because my name is listed having applied for a grant for them, the new person would have to change their email address. When they change program coordinators again, etc., etc., etc. And what if something happens to any of us or we move.....? Is that confusing enough?
I have some other issues frustrating me; but I just have to adjust myself and understand that it is the way it will be.
And I put my leftover lunch on the roof of the car, while I opened it and got something else out--It's in Attleboro someplace? (lol)
But, the weather is beautiful. I took my friend to catch a bus for the airport; and she is having a wonderful time visiting her cousing.
I had dinner out with my cousin, her cousin, and a friend last Sunday. It was so nice. We saw seals in the ocean.
I met with the college student I am matched with for a nutrition class she is taking. It's fun chatting with the young students, getting to know them better.
I started a 6-week program at a local library about Pilgrims and Patriots 1620-1776. I like history.
In reality, my life is good--just the hiccups that can happen in life.
Thanks for letting us air.
Glad Lisey is back home OK, and I love Chiquita's front leg "stockings." What beautiful and unusual markings! Love the tea room photos, esp. the mystery girl in the pretty green polka-dot dress and wearing such nice rings. Hmmm... I'm going to do more mixing and matching when I set the table next time. Glad you got some relaxing quality time, and pls. take care of yourself during this stressful adventure called nursing school.
Since I'm writing this late in the day, I will say I'm thankful I get to be a part of this group. It's like visiting with far-flung friends every day. Greetings to all!
The bad attitudes (righteously bad, I should add) abound. Here, too. I read through the comments and realize that, while I should be planning some high school Latin lessons for my boys, I need to practice some gratitude at the end of a bad attitude day for me.
So. Right now I am thankful:
*that my father's knee replacement surgery went routinely and that he's not in terrible pain.
*for the folks in the surgical waiting room. After sitting around hours and hours together, a group of us finally started chatting. It was a very good and friendly way to pass a few hours of tiresome sitting. I love talking to strangers!
*that I felt zero guilt about buying food at the hospital cafeteria for 2 days because it wasn't terribly overpriced and I chose reasonably healthy options. I certainly did not have the energy to plan ahead to pack meals. I also didn't want to carry something else in from the parking lot.
*for helpful children.
*that I have some teenage boys who are stronger than I am. I no longer have to carry/move the heavy totes of clothing/shoes stored in our basement when it's time to change sizes/seasons of clothes for the kids.
*that my husband never wanted to name any of our children "Dorcasny" as he did in my dream last night. (Where do these things come from in my brain!!!???!!!???)
*for my friend; she sent me a chocolate bar and a bottled frappuccino as a pick-me-up. She knew I was dragging.
*that my friend may have found a residential placement for his elderly special-needs sister. He's been struggling to figure out how to take care of her since their mother died earlier this year.
I'm sorry your week has been heavy and hard. You're invited to my late night cinnamon roll snack tomorrow night to help cheer you up.
Thankfuls:
1. my lawyer. He made a stressful couple of days not feel quite so bad because of his ability to communicate effectively. because of him i'll be able to go to bed less stressed tonight.
2. a job so exhausting I don't have time to get into my own head (as much). I threw myself into the deep end, with hurricane force gales icebergs, and stinging jellyfish. It keeps my mind for catastrophizing (that's a made up word, yeah?) about other things.
3. School: a safe place for kids that don't have safe homes. It's not enough to undo an unsafe home life, but it is better than nothing.
4. Beautiful foliage. Fall is here. And my toes are cold enough for socks. And the leaves are reminding me to soak up the outdoors while it's warm enough to do so comfortably.
5. The temporaryness of each day. Tomorrow is new. This current season of challenge and fatigue will eventually end. New joys and new hards will show up. Nothing is this way forever.
A good lawyer is worth so much. I feel that!
And a nighttime cinnamon roll sounds like a very good idea.
@kaitlin, My doctor told me to stop catastrophizing, so maybe it's not a made up word?
Sending you good energy for your math test, Kristen! Helping out others will definitely help in your studying. I'm sure you will ace it!
Thankful for some alone time to regroup. Last month a discussion with my husband went totally off track and he became extremely agitated and vocal. This is NOT his norm. The event triggered feelings of insecurity that felt as if the rug had been pulled out from under me. It so disoriented me and I am sure that it brought back feelings from my turbulent childhood. I could not function to a frightening level. After a few days I was able to express to him what I thought my shutting down was due to. I’m slowly healing and he has done many small significant things to help.
Anyway this weekend is his “guys getaway”. I was concerned about being alone but I am thankful that I am accomplishing many tasks that were put off. I am thankful that we both have this time to gather some positive energy and strength.
Nothing like being a lurker and then diving head first into this blog 🙂
Aww, I'm sorry to hear about this situation; I'm glad you guys were able to talk about it and figure out some of what was going on! Good for you for recognizing some of your childhood triggers; that's hard work to do.