Thankful Thursday | Yay for contacts
New here? Thankful Thursday is something we’ve been doing in these COVID times; a (frugal and free) exercise to help us hunt for the good that is in our lives and in the world, even in the midst of a pandemic.
This week, I am thankful:
that I have contact lenses, not just glasses
I've inadvertently worn glasses to the grocery store a few times and my word, that is SO annoying with a mask.
Every exhale coats the lenses with fog, and no amount of adjusting my mask/glasses placement helps.
So, I am grateful that I can choose to put in my contacts and shop fog-free. Easy-peasy.
that Mr. FG patched the wall holes
I was REALLY not feeling like tackling this project, so I am thankful that he took the initiative to get it going.
I've done plenty of drywall patching before (and the spackling and sanding that comes afterward!), so I know how to do it.
I just really didn't want to do it.
that we had the money to pay for new brakes
One of our cars needed new front brakes a little unexpectedly, and I am grateful we had the money saved for the job.
that there are so many ways to sell things online
Yesterday I made some listings on Facebook and on eBay, and I thought about how much easier it is to sell things now than it was before the internet.
that I've gotten through a lot of my apples
This is what's left from the 48 pounds I bought. The rest are now applesauce, in the freezer.
that I was able to give away our old blinds
We did an inside mount set of blinds for the new windows, and to help make things match, we got a new set for the original windows to change those to an inside mount as well.
I listed the old blinds for free on Facebook, and someone came to pick them up within a few hours.
Incidentally, the white faux wood blinds that Home Depot sells are really great; we've used them for years in our windows.
that my dad is going to help us match the window trim
The original dining room windows are not framed like the new ones, and my dad is going to bring his nailer over to help us put up trim to match.
Between this and the matching blinds, I think the windows will look like they belong together.
that COVID is not surging too badly here
Stats are up some from two months ago, but nothing like what I'm hearing about in a lot of other states.
that I already liked staying home before all of this
I've been a homebody for eons, and that's a bonus in a time like this.
It does not solve the problem of my housemates being non-homebodies, but at least I personally am not dying to go all sorts of places.
for the many ways skies are beautiful
There's such an array of beautiful ways that the sky presents itself!
that I don't have much formal stuff on my schedule today
It's not that I have nothing to DO, of course.
But the only formal thing is that Sonia and I have to go feed the rescue cats this evening.
So that means the order of the rest of my day is largely up to me and I like that.
I'm thankful (ice storm edition):
that power stayed on for us during the 3 day ice storm we had. Nearly 390,500 lost power, including everyone across the street from us and across the street behind us. Enduring days of ice/sleet/rain at 30 degrees is easier with heat.
that we didn't sustain major damage to our home or vehicles. We lost the majority of one tree, and our backyard is unusable until the rest of the dead branches are pulled down, but we are okay. Our neighbor lost a trunk of one of his trees, 30 minutes after he moved his truck out from under it.
that we have money to pay for tree clean-up.
that we didn't miss too many days of school with the storm since most of our schoolign is done at home.
that weather should get a bit warmer this weekend
(non-ice storm)that technology exists to help me daughter hear out of her deaf left ear. She had her last hearing test after multiple surgeries to repair her ear. Unfortunately the surgeries were mostly unsuccessful, but she has a bone anchored hearing aid that allows her to hear from both ears.
My goodness, a three day ice storm sounds terrible!
I am thankful that.....
the remnant of hopefully the last hurricane of the season are moving quickly through my state and although we have some limbs, leaves and general messiness in our yard we are safe and have power. There are many who were not so fortunate.
that our garden is doing well and mustard greens are really delicious when they are homegrown.
that my 5 year old son gobbles up mustard greens, collard greens, spinach and a myriad of other veggies pretty regularly. He doesn't care too much for salad but since he eats spinach so well I can't be too upset.
that peaches I put away this summer in the freezer make a delicious pie. I love peaches in the summer but goodness once fall and winter hit they seem to taste even more wonderful.
for positive test results after a recent medical procedure my Mom had.
for my son's wonderful pediatrician. Going in for a well visit and seeing how he loves our son and all the kids around him is just a joy.
for my husband's wood working skills as we have a lovely new set of end tables in our living room that he built and we saved over $2K by building them ourselves rather than purchasing from a furniture store.
for peace that passes understanding in the midst of chaos all around us.
Wow, that's so great that your husband could make the end tables. They're probably nicer than the ones from the store too!
Contacts are so much easier than glasses when masked. I've heard you can put a strip of tape on them across the nose, but I have no idea if it works. I'm glad I have contacts, too!
1. And that takes me back to the ancient days, when all contacts were hard lenses, and new to eyecare for the general population. My parents sacrificed to get contacts for me and another sibling, because otherwise, by the time we were adults, we would be legally blind and wearing special glasses. So I am truly and eternally grateful to our parents for getting us hard contacts, which "held" our eyesight so that it wouldn't get worse. Our other sibling needed no correction at all until her 30's. Genetics are weird.
2. I am thankful that the cool front is almost here. Our low at 5:30 this morning was 76 and tomorrow morning is predicted to be 53.
3. I am thankful that the hurricane at least stayed under a cat. 3, although I had hoped it would fizzle out instead. I'm thankful we weren't in the path and pray for those who were.
4. I'm thankful that my car's steering issue was fixed easily and not too expensively.
5. I'm thankful that my church is doing Operation Christmas child this year. The thought of pleasing a child who expected nothing or very little just fills my heart with joy. I have a friend who goes to Walmart in November and pays the rest of the layaway for 2 or 3 accounts that obviously have kids' gifts in it, and are behind on payments. Then she has the store notify the late payer that it is paid in full. She never learns the names of the people she helps, and they will never know hers. I'm thankful for my friend, too!
The strip of tape across the mask/bridge of your nose does work. My eye doctor told me about this when I went to visit on Tuesday. I wear contacts but wear sunglasses outside so I had the same issue with my glasses. Of course if you are bored and not doing anything dangerous, it makes for fun and simple entertainment.
1. The rain today. Most people don't like rain but there's something about it that I love.
2. A swap meet at my church last weekend. They did a good job with social distancing. I got rid of a few things and got a few clothing items for my kids to try on, and I met a couple of people.
3. Work, and nice coworkers. One in particular is a hoot, and a real day-brightener for everyone around her.
4. The ability to vote. I've been reading about how this is the 100th anniversary of women having the right to vote. That doesn't seem like so long ago (maybe because I'm old!).
5. My kids' friends. The teenage years are hard to navigate through, so I'm hoping their friendships continue.
You should tell your co-worker that she is a bright spot for you. It will make her day 🙂
You're so right! I've mentioned it to her in the past but it was a while ago. I'll make a point to tell her again, soon!
Thankful Thursday: The Snowstorm Edition
For a woodstove, that keeps our house warm, and will even if the power goes out.
For flannel sheets.
And an electric mattress pad.
For a flexible lifestyle that means we don't have to worry about getting to work. (Assuming school is cancelled, since that's our only outside-the-house work.)
For a large enough house that my four children can run around and play even when they can't go outside much. It's a tad bit loud, but it works. 🙂
I am thankful for a job that finds new ways to challenge my brain. I've worked at the same company for 25 years next week, so it is great that I can still be challenged here. It helps that I am in an analytical role (math major here!), and the problems shift as our access to different data points/different modes of buying also shift.
I am thankful that the end is in sight for the election. I am nervously optimistic at this point. I am thankful for the people in all kinds of positions that have been vulnerable in advocating for Biden/Harris despite potential blow back on their business and them personally. I am also thankful I live in a state that makes voting easy. Illinois has lots of problems that often make me wish I lived elsewhere, but we are really good at making voting accessible. I early voted on Sunday and was in and out in 10 minutes.
I am thankful for my Nespresso machine that produces a good latte for me every morning. It is so much better tasting than my old Keurig coffee, the pods are fully recyclable and it keeps me from a daily trip to Starbucks now that I'm working from home.
1. I am thankful for having saved for a large car repair this week as well.
2. I am thankful for my job during COVID, even tho it is currently VERY HARD.
3. I am thankful that we had two days this week that were not cold and rainy!
4. I am thankful for the sense of community that I do feel while at work.
5. I am thankful that I am not working at my old job ( from 2001-2019) right now ( or ever again!)
Stephanie: I am thankful for people who do jobs that are very hard. Thank you.
1. My clutter was bugging me and my storage closets were not configured correctly, so they weren't working. I investigated closet systems to purchase for 3 closets. Then I cleaned them out, purged, donated, re-organized. I don't need to closet systems now, after all. I saved several thousand dollars. I need to spend about $100. on some containers that fit. That's frugal!
2. Signed up for Misfits. Organic veggies cheaper and we are eating better because I have to use up veggies.
3. Re-mortgaged all of our properties for huge savings at lower interest rates.
4. Sold stuff to Once Upon a Child. Some extra $ to buy next sizes up.
Just a suggestion. I use Mrs Meyers multi surface cleaner spray on glasses so they don’t fog up. Also use it on our bathroom mirrors so no fog there either
Do not do this! It can eat away at the coating on your glasses over time, and completely ruin them!!
I'm feeling a little burned out at work, so today I am grateful for:
1. The public library. I love how much access I have to both physical books and e-books. I've been getting very inspired by some of the cookbooks I've been virtually checking out recently. Cookbooks from other cultures are a fantastic way to "travel!"
2. My parents and brother. We cannot be together right now (there's a COVID outbreak in my department, so I'm not even socially-distanced visiting until it's over) but we have a lot of fun video-chatting.
3. My husband. He's wonderful in so many more important ways, but today he's doing a contactless-sell of one of my old textbooks while I'm on call tonight, so we'll get $150. Anyone have suggestions of where to sell textbooks? Facebook Marketplace is not as fruitful as I would like.
4. My friends. Everyone's been committed to creative ways of "getting together"--this weekend, some high school friends and I are having "bad movie night" virtually, instead of our yearly pumpkin-carving and taco night. I'm pulling to watch Van Halen.
5. My job. It's kind of burning me out at the moment, but I'm glad that I a) have a job that b) pays well and c) is generally leading towards the career I want.
I usually sell textbooks on eBay, using these steps: https://www.thefrugalgirl.com/a-few-ebay-selling-tips/
Since textbooks are sort of a specific need, I think they do better on eBay than somewhere like Facebook. The more niche something is, the more likely I am to use eBay instead of Facebook.
Wait, that was the wrong link! This is the book-specific post: https://www.thefrugalgirl.com/how-to-sell-books-on-ebay/
Thanks! I'm in Canada and a little worried about the cost of shipping, but I'll definitely check it out!
I have my buyers pay for shipping almost every time. No need for you to cover that as a seller!
I'm thankful...
1. That my son will be going back to school in a couple weeks. It's scary for me to send him back, but he is struggling with virtual and really missing other children.
2. For my Misfits Market, Grove, and Mighty Nest subscriptions. Less in person shopping and good prices for organic veggies and cleaning products. I also got 3 months free for renewing my annual Mighty Nest.
3. The holidays will be low key and less stressful this year.
4. My SO and I agreed that instead of exchanging gifts, we will buy a (much needed) new couch.
5. I opted for an absentee ballot and delivered it to an official drop box. The early voting lines were long and I was able to avoid them.
#5! (My dates are different but my sentiment is the same.
I was trying to reply to Stephanie about not working an old job but the comment didn't go to the right spot. 🙁
I'm thankful that there was good medical news for a friend's son.
I'm grateful that we're getting rain from Zeta. Just a couple of inches and no wind.
I'm thankful that I made a great tasting chicken tortilla soup the other day. It has been lunch for a couple days.
I'm grateful that my charity stitching group has been able to meet indoors the past few weeks.
I'm thankful that have not had snow nor wild fires in our area.
Let's see:
That Trick Or Treat wasn't banned in my town. I'm not a Halloween person but am am glad that my kid has been able to go to some events.
That I am needed at my job. It makes me feel that all my hard work ain't been in vain for nothing.
Everyone I know is healthy. "Cases" are supposedly up but everyone I know is healthy.
A friend texted me for my birthday last week. She hasn't really talked to me much since she got married (people do drift apart, I know) but I'm happy she's still healthy and doing alright.
That I found a fraudulent transaction on my credit card and the company is sending me a new one. Of course this means that I can't buy anything online for a while but I have enough cash to cover groceries and stuff (or I could use my debit card.)
Thankful for my treadmill and the benefits I get from walking/jogging on it every morning.
Thankful for a job and healthcare.
Thankful for stationery—I just love new pens and steno pads and post it notes!
Thankful for meditation apps, they are useful and helpful to me
I shoplifted a few times when I was a kid, always office supplies. One day my husband confessed that he shoplifted as a kid---always office supplies! We really were meant for each other. I still have a hard time not buying a complete excess of pens and notebooks when I go into places like OfficeMax. I think they signify starting afresh to me.
That is the cutest thing!
I am also very thankful for contacts lens and glasses. My vision is very bad. I would not be able to see much without them, but sometimes things look better through soft focus...
Of course, I’m very thankful for all the usual things beach days, my new pup, my health and my dear family and my super friends!
Yep, the whole world is just blurry to me without lenses. It's like the beautiful background of a photo, except the entire view is that way for me!
1. Internet to communicate with family.
2. Food in my freezer and cupboards.
3. A running vehicle and a husband who can work on it when needed.
4. Kids who can make their own ramen and eggs when I feel like a break (which was tonight).
5. A God who had His story written down and kept for ages, so we would know who He is and how Hew loves us.
1. I'm thankful that my dad recovered from COVID! He was my biggest health concern over the last 7 months and I'm so thankful he's doing well.
2. I'm thankful that my daughter has a 4-day weekend off school, so I get to take all 3 of my kids to the library tomorrow morning.
3. I'm thankful for my 6yo's generous heart.
4. I'm thankful for a warm house.
5. I'm thankful for early voting! I got to (AKA had to) take my 2 youngest with me and it went really well. There was no line, the lady was super patient and kind, the room had spinny chairs that my kids loved... It was such a stress-free experience!!
Oh, that is wonderful news about your dad. Yay!
I have a contacts comment! I had contacts starting in sixth grade but sometime after college I got super, super lazy and quit wearing them. This is seriously the only time I've ever wanted to switch back — even though my depth perception is 1000 percent better with contacts vs glasses — because of the mask problem. And for me, it's an extremely infrequent problem because generally I'm a no-mask person on principle.
Now I have bifocals and I understand that bifocal contacts exist but my enthusiasm for learning to use them might be ... kinda low.
I was so blind I could not see anything but the top letter of the chart. The genetic illness I have required a medication that ended up causing cataracts by the time I hit 33. I had cataract replacement surgery, which was easy-peasy, and have had 20/20 vision since; I will never need bifocals. I wear glasses when I drive to dull the headlights of oncoming cars because the light is so acute now. Best thing that ever happened to me, and the only benefit of my chronic illness. I keep hoping my husband will get cataracts so he can quit fighting with bifocals and fogging. So, perhaps there are cataracts in your future!
Ooh, this is a hidden blessing! Crazy! Hooray for good results!
Today I am thankful for some of the wonderful people I have had in my life.
1. of my grandmother, who lived on her own until she died at 99 and 11 months, without any physical or mental losses except she became hard of hearing. And the only prescription pill she took was an iron pill!! Few people are lucky enough to have a grandmother into their fifties but I was. She gave me a love of cooking.
2. of the nun/principal of my boarding high school, who was a strong, assertive, intelligent woman who could make the priest quake. She was the first person who made not feel like a freak for being very outspoken and taught me to use my fearlessness to watch out for people who were vulnerable and unable to speak up.
3. of the graduate school boyfriend who refused to come home to Alaska with me. He gave me the gift of my first adult love.
4. of the boyfriend before my husband, who loved fixer upper projects...but made a complete hash of everything he ever tried to fix. He taught me to call for professional help when you are dealing with electricity or serious plumbing issues.
5. of my first boss in my real career, who taught me the importance of noticing when people you supervise are doing things right instead of just when they need to do things differently. She also taught me that people have different skills and that sometimes when you think someone needs to be terminated, you should see if there is a way to adjust their job so that it plays to their strengths instead of their weaknesses.
I have been very lucky to have so many good people in my life. I wish I could have them all over for a meal at the same time, even the dead ones.
1. I am able to work from home
2. My son's family is isolating much as we are so we can be together
3. Zinnias and roses are still blooming!
4. All of my family are safe and well
5. We continue to restock our pantry
6. I packed a lunch each day that my husband went to drive this week
7. I made home-made dog food for out pups
8. I used the last of the tomatoes and zucchini to make a delicious soup
9. My herbs are still doing well so I can use them for cooking
I'm thankful for my eye doctor's office getting me in for a cancellation appointment when my glasses unexpectedly broke a few weeks ago. (Otherwise, it would have been a 2+ month wait.)
I'm thankful that my new glasses are progressive lenses and that the adjustment has been going really well. I can read with my glasses on again instead of having to take them off and on all day!
I am thankful my classroom of students have been so enthusiastic about everything we are doing. They seem to be an especially easy class to get interested in learning this year, in spite of changes because of COVID-19.
I am thankful that even though we have already had two huge dumps of snow, we are getting some warmer weather and roads and parking lots are melting off. This is just too early in the year to be dealing with ice buildup.
I'm thankful my parent teacher conferences went well, and I was able to connect with some new families.
I'm thankful that God's mercies are new every day, and even when I don't know what to do, He things all figured out ahead of time.
I'm very thankful that Tropical Storm Zeta, let all 14 trees fall away from our home. I'm also thankful after 9 hours we have power!
Right now I'm thankful that most days are not like yesterday.
Oof. I'm sorry you had a rough day.
Here's hoping for better!
I was wondering why the trim didn't match the other window and I was biting my tongue to keep from asking about it. I am so glad your dad is going to help you make everything symmetrical! I know this exuberance I'm feeling is irrational, but now I really, really love your new window!
The simplest thing would have been to make the new trim match the old one. BUT. We decided not to have them put a ledge below the new windows since it would be easy to catch your hip on the ledge edge if you walk by there to go sit on the bench.
It's just not a good spot for a ledge!
So now neither set of windows will have a ledge, and I think that'll look better overall anyway. There's really no reason to have a ledge in the dining room like that.
I am thankful my COVID test came back negative! I just had a sore throat and thought maybe somehow (how?) I'd gotten strep, but my doc suggested both tests, as a precaution...I was very fortunate to get both done at the same time and found fairly quickly that both tests were negative. Apparently it was just a viral sore throat OR it could have been because of the dry air since we've turned on the heater.
I am so grateful to be able to work from home, and that any client meetings can be done over Zoom. We're having a huge spike in cases here so the less I have to go out, the better.
I'm, as always, thankful to my Mom for my cooking skills. I've been cooking up a storm lately, trying new things, making favorites, improvising...and while today is a "fend for yourself for dinner because I'm tired of cooking" day, mostly I really enjoy cooking.
I'm also super thankful for the local CSA we joined in January. It's easy to customize my weekly produce box and I love getting new things to try! This past week we had watermelon radishes that were delish in our salads! They are so accommodating, if you need to add on something like coffee or bread, and everything is so good!
Last, this week I'm very grateful to my SO for putting up with my moodiness and anxiety as I awaited those test results. He's a keeper 😉